Is it impossible to successfully build a Dancehall career out of Canada? In this episode, the mandem dive deep into the unique hurdles facing Toronto’s reggae and dancehall industry.

From a heated debate over whether Scarborough legend Snow (“Informer”) counts as a true dancehall artist or a hip-hop act, to the strategic use of dubplates in local clubs, we break down why international markets—including Jamaica—often fail to give Canadian artists the credit they deserve. We also discuss why local artists need to treat their craft more professionally, why vinyl isn’t dead for European collectors, and how the Toronto scene can stop being used as a pawn by foreign sound systems.

Let us know in the comments: Do you consider Snow a Dancehall artist? Why do you think Toronto dancehall struggles to break globally?

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Timestamps / Chapters
0:00 – Developing Canadian Dancehall: “It’s Super Difficult”
0:20 – Toronto Dancehall Legends: Sample King, Isis & Skystars
1:11 – The Loyalty Problem: Street Love vs. Paid Streams
1:52 – The Great Debate: Is Snow (“Informer”) a Real Dancehall Artist?
2:46 – Hip-Hop Beats vs. Reggae Vocals: The Louie Rankin Comparison
3:29 – Shouting Out Scarborough: Allen Berry, Cataraqui & The Hood
3:45 – The Marketing Strategy: Why Aren’t Toronto Artists Making Dubplates?
4:21 – Sound System Politics: Why Jamaica Gatekeeps Canadian Artists
5:32 – Foreign Wars: How Outside Sound Systems Divide and Conquer Toronto
6:29 – Moving Unprofessional: Why Toronto Artists Need Product (Vinyl Controversy)
7:25 – European Markets: Why Vinyl and Physical Media Still Matter