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Orville “Shaggy” Burrell—Grammy-winning reggae icon
@Calligrafist
From February 19-23 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica was infused with music, culture, business, and education at the Island Music Conference (IMC) 2025. Orville “Shaggy” Burrell—Grammy-winning reggae icon—co-founded the event alongside Judith Bodley and Sharon Burke in 2023 serving as a meeting place where music professionals share experiences, forge alliances, expand their knowledge base, expose new music and talent, and connect with the heartbeat of the global industry. In its third year, IMC welcomed over 1,000 attendees and music professionals from more than 14 countries with invited global media coordinated by Francoise Blanchette of MCM-PR agency.
IMC 2025 panel
Photo Credit: @Calligrafist
A Pulse of Innovation
The theme this year was “The Future of Music. “viewed through the lens of technology, collaboration, and diversity. Several panels addressed key stress points in the Caribbean music genre and highlighted critical developments in the music tech space. A notable panel was How Streaming Platforms, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality are Shaping the Music Industry with panelists Jabari Shaw, associate attorney at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, Richard Lue, Senior Director of Marketing at VP Records, and music executive Ray Daniels. In this panel, attendees learned how AI-driven algorithms and immersive VR experiences can aid in diversifying their monetization strategy. Notable speakers included Walter J. Tucker, President and Founder of Live the Biz, Ben Ryan, founder and managing director of, City Splash Festival and Len Brown, Rap/R&B/Reggae Awards Senior Manager at the Recording Academy. One feature unique to IMC is the open dialogue between panelists and attendees after each panel. These candid moments cement IMC’s dedication to educating its audience and providing them with direct insights from industry experts.
IMC 2025 New talent concert
Photo Credit: @Calligrafist
Deals, Dreams, and Dollars
IFPI Global Music Report 2022 states that global recorded music revenue grew by 18.% in 2021 totaling $25.9 billion. 65% of that total is attributed to streaming Global streaming is not just on the rise it is the new normal for artists and the music industry as a whole. Paid music subscriptions on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music hosted over 500 million paid users. From a distribution perspective, self-distribution platforms like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby have seen significant increases in artists releasing their music independently.
As of 2022, over 60,000 new tracks were being uploaded daily to Spotify—many by independent creators. A blog released by TuneCore in 2022 states that the platform paid out $3 billion to independent artists since its founding. These numbers show that for independent artists, self-distribution is a lucrative business avenue that can help them maintain creative control and a larger share of their revenue. Panels like Record Deal vs. Publishing Deal vs. Distribution Deal provided insights into how new artists could leverage the growing ethos of streaming and self-distribution to maintain autonomy while effectively marketing their work.
Although impactful panels are the main drivers for IMC, networking opportunities abounded. Bridging the gap between executives, producers, creators, and artists sparking on-the-spot collaborations and lifelong relationships. Several nights of the conference served as lively concerts showcasing the vibrant and diverse landscape of Caribbean music, from classic reggae to contemporary dancehall and Afro-Caribbean fusions.
Local students attending IMC 2025 with Shaggy
Photo Credit: @Calligrafist
Kingston’s Cultural Vibe
Kingston is home to some of Jamaica’s top international talent such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, and many more. This is why the city served as the perfect backdrop for artistic and professional exchange among Caribbean artists. Its rich cultural heritage in music, art, cuisine, and nightlife also immersed visitors in the vibrant spirit and hospitality of Jamaica’s Capital city.
IMC 2025 panelists
Photo Credit: @Calligrafist
Looking Ahead
One message stood out during IMC 2025: Jamaican music and heritage is embarking on a new era of globalization and recognition. With tech and diversity being central to the music industry the Caribbean is redefining itself from global influence in music to a driver of industry innovation. The insights and partnerships formed over the course of IMC 2025 are poised to shape the industry for years to come.
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