We discuss the reggae industry’s focus on vanity metrics such as social media likes and YouTube views versus actionable metrics such as engagement and sales.

Reggae/dancehall fans find ways to get new music for free (YouTube, mixtapes, sound system audio, email blasts, SoundCloud, etc). The reggae media primarily reports on vanity metrics. Fans form opinions based on the opinions of others if they have to. They also find reasons to justify why they did not buy the new album(s).

Conversely, fans of other genres are known for taking action by collecting (buying) albums, whether digital or hard copy. They collect the new albums of the artists they like and then form their own opinions about the music. We break down the reasons for this disparity.

Buzzworthy

• Kahlil Wonda reviews Tarrus Riley’s new album, “Healing.”
• Reactions to the passing of celebrated Reggae icon and trailblazer, Toots Hibbert.

The Tastemaker

Babylon Warfare by Tarrus Riley ft. Teejay and Dean Fraser.