Jamaica to Toronto, and back
Reggae in Canada
Reggae's second diaspora after Britain: Studio One's bandleader in Toronto, a Malton basement turned Black Ark, a Queen West club, and the champion sound that took World Clash twice.
97 records · curated by the atlas editors
A sampling, not a complete record — the archive runs deeper than any list of it. Tell us what is missing.
The hub record: how a city became reggae's second northern capital.
place · Well supportedLittle Jamaica (Eglinton West)Eglinton West: the neighbourhood the music built, and named.
place · Well supportedReggae LaneThe laneway and mural that made the history official in 2015.
group · ProbableThe SheiksMid-sixties: the first Jamaican band Toronto knew by name.
person · Well supportedKarl MullingsThe Sheiks' manager, Caribana advocate, and the scene's first builder.
person · Well supportedJackie MittooStudio One's bandleader, resident in Toronto from 1968.
person · Well supportedLeroy SibblesThe Heptone whose two-week visit became twenty-two Toronto years.
person · Well supportedWilli WilliamsThe Armagideon Man, splitting his life between Toronto and Kingston since 1974.
person · Well supportedStranger ColeTreasure Isle elder with a Kensington Market record shop.
person · Well supportedJay DouglasSix decades from the Cougars' club circuit to the Jamaica to Toronto revival.