Voicemail's Kevyn and Qraig talk Dancehall Roots with Global Reach
Manage episode 517500146 series 3056818
Two voices, one legacy, and a catalog that ignites dancehall to tek it to the dance floor every time their songs are played. In this episode I sit down with dancehall group Voicemail to unpack the spontaneous birth of their name, the unlikely path from R&B harmonies to dancehall dominance, and the creative spark behind "Weddy Time"—guided by producer Danny Champagne and inspired by Bogle’s dance moves. What follows is a rare, candid look at joy, grief, and the unbreakable thread that ties performers to fans across decades.
Kevyn and Qraig take us inside the shift from five members to three, then to the duo we know today, revealing how they rebuilt their sound without losing the heart that made them. They share why Japan became a second home for their music, how a structured rollout amplified their reach, and the practical playbook young artists need now: align with the right partners, think beyond a small home market, and let quality lead because value attracts opportunity. We also discuss dancehall in the digital age—how constant access dissolved mystery, why playlists weakened artist-fan bonds, and what it takes to rebuild real community that lasts.
There’s humor, vulnerability, and plenty of hard-earned wisdom: setting boundaries with love, crafting solo projects, Qraig with Me And Di Gal Dem and Kevyn with SKILLVCHI under the Voicemail banner, and remembering to celebrate the wins instead of sprinting past them. If you care about dancehall culture, artist longevity, or the craft of connecting with an audience in a crowded world, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.
If this moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves dancehall, and leave a review telling us your favorite Voicemail track and why—it helps more listeners find conversations like this.
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Produced by Breadfruit Media
Chapters
1. Welcome & Voicemail Origins (00:00:00)
2. From Five To Three Members (00:01:07)
3. Early Influences And Sound Systems (00:02:32)
4. Naming The Group Voicemail (00:06:17)
5. Creating Weddy Time (00:07:36)
6. Breakout Success And Impact (00:09:52)
7. Grief, Loss, And Resilience (00:12:27)
8. Why Groups Are Rare In Jamaica (00:16:40)
9. Japan Albums And Global Strategy (00:18:59)
10. Advice On Markets And Alignment (00:22:06)
11. Social Media, Access, And Lost Mystery (00:26:09)
12. Rebuilding Fan Connection Today (00:31:30)
13. Boundaries And Fan Etiquette (00:35:24)
14. Solo Projects And The Voicemail Umbrella (00:37:31)
15. Rethinking How To Celebrate Success (00:41:20)
16. Closing, Releases, And Gratitude (00:46:30)
153 episodes