The true story of Canada's reggae capital

There’s a neighbourhood in Toronto that stretches along Eglinton Ave, just north of the downtown core. For years, it’s been buried under construction as the city builds the Crosstown LRT, but under all that is a rich musical history which is under threat.
Little Jamaica, as the neighbourhood is known, was one of the largest producers of reggae music in the world outside of Kingston, Jamaica. In the 1960s and ’70s, Jamaicans moving to Toronto helped to create a vibrant music industry, complete with clubs, record shops, recording studios, all with a connection back to Jamaica. Artists like Jackie Mittoo and Leroy Sibbles recorded their music there, and the famous reggae group Black Uhuru immortalized the strip with their song “Youth of Eglinton.”
Producing: Vivian Tabar, Jesse Kinos-Goodin
Editing: Krzysztof Pospieszynski, Vivian Tabar
Research, interviews: Vivian Tabar
Graphics: Theo Kapodistrias
Archival Photographs: Beth Lesser
Interviewees: Romain Baker, Klive Walker, Cadence Weapon, Dave Kingston, Kevin Howes, Beth Lesser
If you'd like to learn more about recent developments in Little Jamaica, visit niacentre.org. There's also a fundraising initiative to build the first multi-disciplinary centre for Afro-diasporic art in Canada. niacentre.org/...
Little Jamaica receives $1M federal grant to help it sustain Black-owned businesses: www.cbc.ca/1.6...
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[@herbertlewis8442]

As an American living across the Niagara River, I greatly appreciate the Raggae, Calypso & Caribbean sounds Toronto provides. I used to look forward to Caribana every year!!

[@Apostrophe-t6q]

I lived in Little Jamaica from the late 80s to the late 90s. Was a great vibrant community when I moved in - Jamaican, Italian and even antique stores run by Jewish proprietors. It was such a lively mix of people who lived with harmony and respect. Great music, food, shops and neighbourhood characters. I hope that some of the original greatness of this area remains after the subway comes in and gentrification takes over. Great people who deserve to live there.

[@djboomshot]

is this just a teaser for a full length documentary yet to come? There's gotta be more to this than just (nearly) 8 minutes!

[@ministerradicalofficial8955]

If proud to be Jamaican like this comment 🇯🇲 🇯🇲 🇯🇲🇯🇲 🇯🇲

[@BajiKorvisamo]

Thank you for this!

[@torontorox]

a reggae venue like the Bamboo is needed!

[@KayKay-vr8jo]

Oswald Creary alongside Jerry opened up the first reggae record studio in Canada

[@BuildersMusicGambia1]

Love and light straight 🎉

[@WalshyFire]

Great work

[@matthealien]

Really Good!!!

[@mallybless3234]

Yes Rasta love the 🔥🔥🔥

[@lashmebeat]

Wow

[@anned2179]

Interested , the new train system that is building its good and bad for the locals business... that area need to be fix and build

[@devinakim6164]

How could they leave out Adrian Miller!!?

[@elderblessmusic]

True story

[@italscientist4858]

Black artist still don't get a backing in Toronto or Canada 🇨🇦 reggae music did better in Japan or England