Just six months after receiving the Order of Distinction (OD) Officer Class for their contribution to the development of Jamaican music, The Mighty Diamonds the longest lasting group in the history reggae music, tragically lost two of their three original members within days of each other. (1)

On the night of Tuesday, March 29, that the reggae-loving world was rocked when news came that lead singer Donald ‘Tabby Diamond’ Shaw was killed in a drive-by shooting.  Three days later harmony vocalist Fitzroy ‘Bunny Diamond’ Simpson passed on April 1, reportedly due to complications from diabetes. (2)

Formed in 1969, the Mighty Diamonds ascended in the 1970s golden era of Roots Reggae vocal groups alongside the likes of The Wailers, The Abyssinians, Culture, The Wailing Souls and Israel Vibration to name a few that harmonised around themes of Afrikan liberation, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I and Marcus Mosiah Garvey.  As such the reported gang-related motive for murder of Tabby Diamond is replete with irony, with a career chanting Black Liberation and upliftment. (3) Indeed, the genre of music advanced by the Mighty Diamonds and others coincided the rise of so-called gang-violence in Jamaica and the well.  connected political machinations behind it.  (4)  It left some wondering in the current climate, what potential does the music still have to influence social change. (5)

For some the poignant reminiscence of this bygone era was brought to an abrupt end a few days later when it was announced that white USA based band SOJA (“Soldiers of Jah Army”) won best reggae album at the 2022 Grammy awards beating a slew of Jamaican artists.  This prompted award winning artist Bounty Killer to respond: “What a big piece a sell out gwaan ya so white folks winning best reggae album over Jamaicans wtf.” (6)  However, popular artist Chronixx leaped to the USA band’s defence: “Don’t mention me on some post trying to discredit honourable people who doing what they love. Dem ya man ya been blessing us and sharing their platform with us for years….consistently. Bring nuff a wi on the road before we got opportunities (to) open for any of the native Jamaican music legends.” (7) 

There are also those that suggest that the Grammys are given disproportionate attention given that, much like major league baseball, the it is a parochial USA event passing itself off as a global one. (8)  Although the concern remains about representation and the perception Jamaican artists “are not capable of producing and receiving accolades for their own music.” (9)

(1) Yasmine Peru (03/04/22) Deaths hit hard but Mighty Diamonds are still forever. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20220403/deaths-hit-hard-mighty-diamonds-are-still-forever

(2) Patricia Meschino (04/04/22) Chris Demontague Defends SOJA, Says Bounty Killer Being A “Hypocrite”. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mighty-diamonds-tribute-reggae-tabby-bunny-1332603/

(3) Ibid.

(4) Horace Campbell (17/06/19) Edward Seaga and the institutionalisation of thuggery, violence and dehumanisation in Jamaica.  https://www.pambazuka.org/human-security/edward-seaga-and-institutionalisation-thuggery-violence-and-dehumanisation-jamaica

(5) D. Chad Spiker (23/04/98) Reggae As Social Change: The Spread of Rastafarianism. https://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/spiker.html

(6) Claude Mills (08/04/22) Sorrow and regret are not enough. Britain must finally pay reparations for slavery. https://www.dancehallmag.com/2022/04/08/news/chris-demontague-defends-soja-says-bounty-killer-being-a-hypocrite.html

(7) Jamica Observer (05/04/22) Chronixx defends SOJA https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Chronixx_defends_SOJA?fbclid=IwAR3f-Jw1fqKApDImt0ALp3t6o9Bp0ItkDh14Ac9n90WhGbzoY35m63d1ZuA

(8) Joe Kozlowski (20/10/20) Why Is the World Series Called the World Series When It Only Includes Teams From the United States?  https://www.sportscasting.com/why-is-the-world-series-called-the-world-series-when-it-only-includes-teams-from-the-united-states/

(9) Sharine Taylor (05/04/22) The Grammys Snubbed Jamaican Artists, But Reggae Doesn’t Need Awards To Validate The Genre. https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2022/04/10931849/grammys-2022-best-reggae-album-snub-spice-soja

we ask the question:

Mighty Diamonds: What now for reggae music?

1) How can we evaluate the Mighty Diamonds contribution to Reggae Music? 

2) What impact did roots music have on Jamaican society?

3) Is the USA now the global centre of Reggae music?

4) Are the Grammys an unimportant parochial event?

5) Is reggae now an undeniably global accessible in every way to everyone?

6) What are the key cultural influences in Jamaica today and what are their impact?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Bro. Bobo El Numero Uno: a world-renowned radio and club DJ and promoter, broadcaster and political commentator.  Bobo presents the Saturday Dancehall Vibe and the Sunday Souvenir Classics shows on Supreme FM. (http://supremefm.com/index.php/shows/saturday-dancehall-vibe-bobo/)