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In the early 2000s, American radio was hungry for new sounds, and one of the most successful crossover acts was a young man from Jamaica who had once—improbably—been a professional water polo player. Sean Paul, born Sean Paul Francis Henriques in Kingston in 1973, had left sports to take up the microphone in the mid-’90s, developing a driving, authoritative sound anchored by his surprisingly accessible and monotonal toasting. Even if you couldn’t decipher the patois, you got the gist of his sentiments, which fell somewhere between “Get on the dance floor” and “I love girls.” His first album, 2000’s Stage One, earned him some recognition, collecting singles dating from 1996, but it was 2002’s Dutty Rock that pushed him into global superstardom, with the huge hits “Get Busy” (an eternal dance-floor filler that, two decades later, found a new audience on TikTok) and “Gimme the Light”. In 2005, The Trinity cemented the singer’s status as the dancehall collaborator for artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna. Though he charted less as the decade progressed, he continued to release his trademark boundary-crossing music and experienced a resurgence in 2016 with several massively successful collaborations, including “Cheap Thrills” with Sia and “No Lie” with Dua Lipa. The world, it seemed, had caught back up to Sean Paul. As dancehall riddims inspired reggaetón, infiltrated Afrobeats and even influenced pop artists like Justin Bieber and Drake in the ensuing years, Paul found himself again in demand, giving star turns on tracks with artists including Migos and J Balvin.

Jack Johnson has released seven studio albums and two live albums that have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. His Brushfire Records label and touring crew continue to be leaders in the greening of the music industry and his All At Once social action network connects fans with local non-profits at each tour stop. Jack, with his wife Kim, founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to support environmental education in Hawaii's schools and communities, as well as the Johnson Ohana Foundation to support environmental, art and music education worldwide. The latest album from Jack Johnson, "Meet The Moonlight" (produced by Blake Mills) opens on a question about the strange complexities of human nature, and never lets up on its heartfelt push for deeper understanding. Over the course of ten captivating and endlessly unpredictable tracks, the multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter examines a whole spectrum of existential concerns (the impermanence of life and fragility of human connection, the struggle for community and presence in an ever-fragmenting world), infusing each inquiry with the profound warmth and poetic grace that have always permeated his music. His eighth studio album and first new full-length in five years, Meet The Moonlight ultimately affirms Johnson as an essential voice in elevating our perspective and subtly guiding us toward a more expansive state of mind.

Stick Figure emerged from the coastal town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, as the creative vision of multi-instrumentalist Scott Woodruff. Crafting his unique blend of roots reggae and dub, Woodruff began by layering each instrument and vocal track himself, creating a rich, immersive soundscape that resonated with listeners. This DIY ethos led to the release of several albums, including The Sound of My Addiction and Burial Ground, establishing Stick Figure's presence in the reggae scene. Relocating to California, Woodruff expanded Stick Figure into a full band, bringing his studio creations to life on stage. The live ensemble features Kevin "KBong" Bong on keyboards, Kevin Offitzer on drums, Tommy Suliman on bass, Johnny Cosmic handling guitar and keyboards, and Will Phillips on percussion. Together, they've captivated audiences at major festivals like Bonnaroo, Levitate, and California Roots, delivering performances that blend tight musicianship with an infectious energy. Beyond the music, Stick Figure's journey is marked by a commitment to authenticity and community. Their independently released albums, such as Set in Stone, World on Fire, and Wisdom, showcase a dedication to crafting meaningful, resonant music without compromise. Accompanied by Cocoa the Tour Dog, the band's loyal canine companion, Stick Figure continues to spread positive vibrations, inviting listeners into their ever-growing family of fans.

Rvssian is a Jamaican producer, singer, songwriter, and label owner who’s worked with a variety of dancehall and reggaeton artists, including Farruko, Sean Paul, and Vybz Kartel. ∙ Born Tarik Johnston, Rvssian is the son of Jamaican producer and label owner Michael “Micron” Johnston, and he learned to play keyboards and drums from his father. ∙ He formed his Head Concussion Records label in 2007, and his first production project, 2008’s “Liberty Riddim,” was used on several tracks, including Konshens’ hit “Ago Kill Me.” ∙ “Life Sweet,” his 2009 collaboration with Vybz Kartel, was his first big production hit in Jamaica. ∙ “Passion Whine,” his 2014 collaboration with Farruko and Sean Paul, reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and sold more than a million copies. ∙ In 2018, he collaborated with J Balvin and Farruko on the international smash “Ponle,” a No. 4 hit on Billboard’s Latin Digital Sales chart.

As wickedly talented as he is controversial, Vybz Kartel has worked hard to ensure that Jamaican music remained the lifeblood of so much hip-hop and R&B. The fact that he’s continued to do it from behind prison bars is one of the many twists in a tumultuous saga that began in 1976, when the dancehall star was born Adidja Azim Palmer in the town of Portmore, Jamaica. After taking his more famous handle from the name of his early group, Vybz Cartel, and writing for Bounty Killer, Kartel scored many hits of his own through the 2000s. He developed a reputation both for formidably fierce lyrical battles with rivals like Mavado and songs about sex and romance like “Romping Shop,” a steamy 2010 duet with Spice. With his Auto-Tune-enhanced vocals and genius for hooks, Kartel put his own stamp on the hottest of riddims. But as Kartel’s appearances on tracks such as Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” and Major Lazer’s “Pon de Floor” boosted his international profile, his troubles at home in Jamaica intensified, leading to his life imprisonment for a 2014 murder conviction. Rather than end his story, Kartel’s incarceration has done little to impede his productivity or his skills, judging by his masterful 2016 album King of the Dancehall, his thrilling collaborations with Busta Rhymes, and his countless fresh disses for his musical rivals.