Island Music Conference February 25-28
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The inaugural Island Music Conference hosted in Kingston by musician Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell wrapped up on Sunday, February 23, after four days of discussion. Seen here, conference panellist and Mayberry Investments Limited CEO Gary Peart speaks during the session on money management, investment and insurance for musicians at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on Saturday, February 11, 2023. With him are (from left) Jermaine Deans, Shaggy and Hugh Reid.
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Right: In this 2023 file photo, Island Music Conference founders (from left) Sharon Burke, president of Solid Agency, Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell, multi-platinum selling artiste, and Judith Ann Bodley, media consultant, were all smiles as they welcomed the guests to the Chairman’s Dinner held inside The Gardens at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
Island Music Conference (IMC), the annual gathering of global music professionals in the Caribbean, returns to Kingston for its fourth staging, February 25-28, at the Courtleigh Auditorium, during Reggae Month.
Founded in February 2023, IMC has established itself as a vital meeting point for the international music industry, bringing together artistes, executives, producers, managers, songwriters creatives, music journalists and innovators to exchange ideas, build partnerships, showcase new talent, and engage with the global music economy from the cultural heart of Jamaica.
The theme for IMC 2026, ‘Music Is the Unifying Force’, is a declaration of the enduring power of sound to bring people together across parishes, borders, cultures, and generations. This year’s conference features a compelling lineup of keynote speakers whose stories and expertise span artistry, leadership, storytelling, and the business of music.
Among the 2026 keynote speakers is Belizean politician and former Bad Boy Records artiste Moses Michael Levi ‘Shyne’ Barrow, whose journey from global music star to national leadership offers a powerful narrative on transformation, resilience, and the enduring influence of culture. Shyne’s keynote is From Stage to State. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party.
Keynoting in Film is Rodney Barnes, acclaimed storyteller and creative strategist, who will deliver a keynote titled Storytelling Power: From Culture to Commerce. The multi award-winning screenwriter and producer has written and produced The Boondocks, My Wife and Kids, Everybody Hates Chris, and Those Who Can’t.
IMC 2026 will also feature high-impact panels led by some of the most respected voices in music production, publishing, and artiste development. One of the highly anticipated sessions, The Power of the Producer brings together Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Silent Addy, and David ‘Yeti Beats’ Spencer, with Max Glazer serving as host. This panel will explore the producer’s evolving role as creative architect, brand builder, and industry power player.
Another cornerstone discussion, Breaking Into Publishing, will demystify one of the most critical areas of the music business. Panellists include Martin Kierszenbaum, CEO and founder of Cherry Tree Music Group; Ethan Bear, co-founder of Rebel Creator Services and former SVP at Create Music Group; Ron André ‘Elvis’ Telford, co-founder and CEO of Creative Titans; and John Baker, founder of G Street Records and co-owner of G Jam Studios Resort. Together, they will unpack publishing access, ownership, global administration, and long-term revenue strategy.
“With its blend of global executives, cultural leaders, iconic artistes, and next-generation innovators, Island Music Conference 2026 positions Jamaica at the heart of the global music conversation,” a press release stated.