Jah Rockaz Takes Their Brand Of Reggae Up A Notch Co-Headling With Inner Circle Following Debut Album

Jah Rockaz released their debut album Reggae’s Healing earlier this year and frontman, drummer, producer, and bandleader Obrian Williams, says the project represents years of preparation, sacrifice, education, and a lifelong commitment to music.

“It’s been a really sentimental journey because it’s something that I’ve always had the passion to do,” Williams told World Music Views. “And, you know, work with some of the greatest musicians in terms of talent in the industry. And it’s just a phenomenal feeling.”

The album has been more than two years in the making, but for Williams, the journey began long before recording sessions and tour dates.

“I always had this dream from when I was in high school,” he said. “But, you know, I wanted to get the right tools and education. So I went to Edna Manley College to ensure that I can perfect my craft. And then now it’s time for execution.”

Born in Kingston and later spending time in Portmore, Williams proudly describes himself as a “Kingston Town youth.” While both communities have reputations for being tough environments, his upbringing was rooted in family, faith, and music.

“I grew up in a family setting, siblings, parents, mother and father, and actually grew up in a Christian and music background,” he explained. “My family is predominantly music minister and Christian.”

Like many Jamaican musicians, his first stage was the church.

“Actually, I started playing drums from church and the choir. The same story most musicians have started in the church. So it comes from my family background.”

That religious foundation shaped his musical development but also created challenges when he decided to pursue a professional career outside gospel music.

“Trust me, that was a huge struggle,” Williams recalled. “So the closest thing I could have done was say, okay then, mommy, I’m going to be a music teacher because it’s more, it’s not necessarily secular, but, you know, we can still get for playing church.”

Eventually, he found a way to explain his calling to his family.

“The only way I was able to get my parents to understand my purpose in music was that just like a nurse, a doctor who’s a Christian, their job is still secular. So, you know, I still maintain my faith, but I’m doing music which is my career.”

Ironically, one of Williams’ strongest reggae influences came directly from the gospel world. He credits the gospel reggae band Catalyst Crew with helping shape his musical direction.

“In fact, one of my biggest reggae inspirations came from a gospel reggae band called Catalyst Crew,” he said. “That band made me want to play reggae music.”

O’Brain williams (drummer/band leader) left
Christopher aka Chris reinge (lead vocalist)

Today, Williams is building his own legacy through Jah Rockaz, a band that blends reggae with pop, soul, dancehall, and Afro-inspired sounds.

“If you listen to the album, it shows the diversity of the band because we’re a reggae-pop band,” Williams explained. “So we have pop songs on it, we have dancehall, afro-pop on it, we have soul songs.”

Unlike traditional roots reggae that often centered around political struggle and social commentary, Williams says his band is focused on reflecting the lifestyle of its audience.

“We’re more trying to stimulate the lifestyle of our community,” he said. “We’re trying to be the evolution of that sound and creating that sound for our community because that’s the people that follow us.”

Touring throughout the United States has also transformed his understanding of the music business.

“I’m seeing a different side of the music and learning that music is not even about a hit song,” Williams said. “It’s about a strategic system that you have to build from the ground to the top.”

For years, Jamaican artists were taught that success depended on finding a hit record. Williams now believes the future lies in community-building.

“It’s just about system, creating systems,” he said. “Building a super fan base that don’t only think about your music but being a part of your journey.”

He explained that when fans become emotionally invested, they become much more than listeners.

“They end up being your promoters for you because they feel like they’re a part of what you’re doing and that gives them ownership. So, you know, they become a super fan of your music and of your movement.”

The realization came later than he would have liked.

“It hurt me so deep knowing that I’m in my 30s and realizing this, knowing that I studied music professionally and I had to learn this the hard way and the long way.”

Still, he remains grateful.

“I’m still grateful that I’m able to fully identify my purpose in music and, you know, I’m just going with the journey right now.”

That purpose has already led him to collaborate with some of reggae’s biggest names.

“I’ve worked with Bunny Rugs from Third World, I’ve produced music with him, I’ve produced Tarrus Riley, I’ve produced Sizzla Kalonji,” Williams said. “I’ve done an album called Acoustic Sounds with Sizzla Kalonji, playing drums and producing him.”

His résumé also includes collaborations with Queen Ifrica, Lutan Fyah, and Jah Vinci.

Yet despite those accomplishments, Williams still dreams big.

“I’d love to do a reggae album with Bruno Mars,” he said. “That’s one of my biggest aspirations in music overall.”

He already knows what that project would sound like.

“I’d go for more of a reggae pop commercial sound, you know, more that stimulates the lifestyle of his audience.”

The momentum surrounding Jah Rockaz continues to build. This week, the band announced a major performance at Merritt Island Fest in Florida alongside reggae legends Inner Circle.

“This Sunday we headline this with Inner Circle,” Williams said proudly.

The performance represents another significant milestone for a band that has steadily expanded its audience beyond Jamaica while staying connected to its roots.

Williams is equally enthusiastic about embracing modern Jamaican sounds. While some reggae traditionalists criticize the rise of trap dancehall and Afro-fusion, he sees opportunity.

“In fact, I like it,” he said.

One of the album’s lead singles, “Champion,” draws from those contemporary influences.

“It speaks about winning and just being a leader in your community and the lifestyle and what’s going on, especially in Jamaica and in the dancehall Afro-pop space.”

Still, he believes the biggest challenge facing Jamaican music isn’t the sound itself.

“The only thing that I have is that music is not a hit song or music in the community is not made but it is marketed,” he explained.

He points to international acts such as Bad Bunny as proof that language barriers are no longer obstacles.

“Most people did not understand what he was saying, but it was the vibe and the tempo of the music.”

For Williams, the future of reggae lies in expanding its reach while remaining authentic to the communities that created it.

As Jah Rockaz’s first studio album clears the way for the band in the reggae space, he says creating it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

“It was the most beautiful feeling,” Williams reflected. “As I said, I’m living in my purpose, and it’s nothing better than that.”

“It’s one for the books and definitely be one that will gradually pick up a pace that people will be talking about it in the global space.”

For now, Williams remains focused on the mission ahead.

“We’re just here to let the world know that roots rock reggae music is still alive, and we’re carrying that banner for Jamaica across the globe.”