Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, the Grammy-winning reggae icon, hosted the Island Music Conference (IMC) 2025 in Kingston, Jamaica, from February 19-23. This event, co-founded by Shaggy in 2023, aimed to bring together music professionals from around the world to share experiences, forge alliances, and showcase new music and talent. With a theme of “The Future of Music,” the conference delved into topics like technology, collaboration, and diversity in the music industry.
Notable panels at IMC discussed how streaming platforms, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality are shaping the industry, with speakers providing insights on diversifying monetization strategies. The conference also highlighted the growth of self-distribution platforms like DistroKid and TuneCore, which enable independent artists to maintain creative control and retain a larger share of their revenue.
IMC 2025 provided ample networking opportunities, sparking collaborations between executives, producers, creators, and artists. The vibrant and diverse landscape of Caribbean music was showcased through lively concerts featuring reggae, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean fusion. Kingston’s rich cultural heritage in music, art, cuisine, and nightlife added to the event’s appeal.
The overarching message of IMC 2025 was that Jamaican music and heritage are entering a new era of globalization and recognition. With a focus on technology and diversity, the Caribbean music industry is positioning itself as a driver of industry innovation. The partnerships and insights gained at the conference are expected to shape the future of the industry for years to come.
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