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In the entertainment ecosystem, the name Heavy D is one that resounds in a powerful way. He refers to himself as God-blessed, and, after more than 40 years in the business as promoter, artiste manager, tour manager and booking agent, Heavy D has experienced the best of times and the worst of times. <\/p>\n
His reputation precedes him, and he has been known to defend it tooth and nail against allegations of unprofessional business practices. <\/p>\n
Junior Fraser, as he was christened, has managed acts like Tommy Lee Sparta, Etana, Squash, and the 6ix camp. <\/p>\n
He is constantly being called on for his advice from promoters, managers, artistes \u2013 both veterans and \u00ademerging acts \u2013 who want to get involved in the music industry in a meaningful way. <\/p>\n
To start our 5 Questions With …<\/b> for 2026, we sought out Heavy D for his views on where the music is going and his hopes and dreams for the industry.<\/p>\n
1. Share with us your New Year\u2019s resolution.<\/b> <\/p>\n
My resolution is to stay with God. Me just talk di truth all the time … and nobody cyaan tell me fi rub up wid this or rub up wid that fi get what me want. A God alone me seh, cause me come from the tribe of Job. <\/p>\n
2. What\u2019s your hope for dancehall music for 2026 and beyond?<\/b> <\/p>\n
Dancehall music a our music. Yuh see dem a fight fi it go inna Grammy now? A long time me a tell the government and the system seh we have two [types of] music: reggae and dancehall. As a matter of fact, we have many genres of music … cause mi go some place and ska is still big. But our two main ones a reggae and dancehall … and me tell dem seh [they] operate [in] two different way[s]. <\/p>\n
Reggae and dancehall can keep inna the same venue inna Europe, [on] the same night because the reggae show a go finish 12 o\u2019clock and the dancehall ting a go start after. The music haffi continue inna the right way, but we have to give the youth dem a chance with the new music. <\/p>\n
3. Is the music still breaking new ground?<\/b> <\/p>\n
Right now, our music a reach places like India and China … and, even inna the Middle East, people a ask mi fi show. Mi go right \u2018cross England with dancehall artistes [like] Byron Messia one of the time and him sold out many places across England. So dancehall is strong. And reggae a big up back to. Cause Chronixx dem nah go way … dem still deh deh. And the legendary ones dem like Capleton and Sizzla … dem a continue fi sing and dem great. Beres [Hammond]and Buju [Banton], dem cyaan touch dem.<\/p>\n
4. Has dancehall music benefited from Vybz Kartel being out of prison?<\/b> <\/p>\n
Yes! Yuh neva hear dem did a seh \u2018Dancehall deh a jail\u2019? [Laughs] Mi nah go seh it is that way, but Kartel really and truly change the game. Him remove a wall, not a zinc fence. <\/p>\n
And when it come to dancehall, Sean Paul is the man; a just true Jamaica nah give him the flowers… Kartel connect different with the people from Sean Paul, but Sean Paul ah our greatest artiste … people will fight it but a so it go. Sean Paul have the most number one dancehall song in the world. And Kartel knows too, seh Sean Paul great. <\/p>\n
5. Should there be a Dancehall Month just like how February is officially Reggae Month?<\/b> <\/p>\n
Well … yeah. But one question though: why it keep on name Reggae Month? Why it can\u2019t name Reggae and Dancehall Month, and a reggae and dancehall oonu a promote? Stop call it Reggae Month alone and name the thing the right way. A long time me a tell dem.<\/p>\n
BRAWTA: <\/b> <\/p>\n
How do you feel about the music fraternity\u2019s response after Hurricane Melissa hit?<\/b> <\/p>\n