Kingston is buzzing still as the fourth-annual Island Music Conference brought together artists, influencers and music executives for a high-energy week of connection and creativity. From backstage moments with Spice and Shaggy, to students sharing the stage with Acting Prime Minister, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the conference blended culture, opportunity, edutainment and real industry insight. With conversations around publishing, marketing and global reach, young creatives were reminded that success today is about more than talent — it’s about knowing the business.
IMC Chairman Orville “Shaggy” Burrell chats with Bajan Soca Queen, Alison Hinds backstage at the Island Music Conference in JamaicaStudents file up to their seats on one side of the Courtleigh Auditorium during the Island Music Conference as part of the Jamaican Creative Career Day Expo hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport
Jamaica’s Acting PM and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange dances “The Electric Slide” with students and participants onstage during the Opening Ceremony of the Island Music Conference at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica
Max Glazer chats with Kardinal Offishall backstage at IMCJudith Bodley and Shaggy backstage at IMCHost, Max Glazer makes a point during the panel on The Power of the Producer, which featured Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, Kardinal Offishall, David “Yeti Beats” Sprecher and Omar “Major Seven” Walker Music Producers, Omar “Major Seven” Walker and Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor at the Island Music ConferenceParticipants arrive and collect their passes and packages in the lobby of the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica for the 2026 Island Music Conference “Queen of Dancehall”, Grace “Spice” Hamilton has a light moment while seated onstage as YouTuber, Jaii Frais makes a point during the Island Music conferenceSocial media influencers and television stars, from left: Jaii Frais, Spice, Noah Powa, Becca Dudley and Wayne Marshall take a photo following the first panel of the 2026 Island Music Conference entitled “Mastering The Art of Influencer Entrepreneurship”Students await the opening of the IMC outside the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica
Photos: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK , Curtis Chase, Robert Taylor, Dexter Phillip, Ishmael Salandy and Kerwin Pierre.
By: J.C
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