Lights, Lyrics, Legacy: Reggae Genealogy Hits the Park 

By Lisaluvslove

PLANTATION, Fla. — Reggae built the soundtrack of resistance, joy, love, and truth — and it’s still echoing across generations. On Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum brings back Reggae Genealogy with Lights, Camera, Reggae!, a concert and cultural showcase tracing Jamaican music’s influence on global film, TV, and pop culture.

Last year’s unforgettable event unfolded just outside the museum at Broward Mall. This year, it’s grown. The vibes are moving to Volunteer Park in Plantation, giving the crowd more room. 

The 2025 showcase honored appearances from cultural icons like Wayne Wonder.  I had the honor of chatting it up with legendary artists like Honorebel, Spragga Benz, and Walshy Fire. In conversation backstage, Walshy told me, “Everyone loves reggae. It’s got the right recipe — a little militancy, a little calmness, the right drum, the right melodies, the right guitar.” That balance, steady and stirring, helps explain why reggae continues to influence music across every continent.

This year’s production explores how reggae shapes what we see as much as what we hear — setting the tone in films, stirring emotions in storylines, and anchoring the mood in unforgettable scenes. From James Bond’s early days in Jamaica to today’s global streaming soundtracks, reggae leaves its mark.This year’s event honors three influential figures in reggae history: drummer Sly Dunbar, known for shaping the sound of modern reggae and dancehall; vocalist and bassist Leroy Sibbles, a key force behind the Studio One era; and Mr. Vegas, whose dancehall hits brought the genre to international audience.

Reggae’s reach has always extended beyond borders. Jamaican sound system culture helped spark hip hop in the Bronx. Reggaeton transformed the rhythm in Spanish. Lovers rock softened the tone; dancehall turned it all the way up. Burna Boy, Beyoncé, even unexpected Top 40 tracks all carry traces of reggae’s DNA.

That global influence didn’t go unnoticed. In 2018, UNESCO inscribed “Reggae music of Jamaica” on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, officially recognizing reggae as a cultural expression with global significance and influence.

At last year’s concert, Spragga explained what gives it such staying power: “Reggae has a soul. Most music just touches the surface, but reggae goes deep.” That depth was felt across the park — in the lyrics, the bass, the bodies swaying together like roots in rhythm.

For Honorebel, the connection is even more personal. “Reggae music is within me. I am the culture and the roots,” he said. “This music is from a sacred place called Jamaica, and we use it as a navigation system to bring people into the culture.”

That’s the spirit Island SPACE works to preserve. Co-founded by David Muir and Calibe Thompson, the museum doesn’t simply showcase the past — it keeps the culture active, visible, and evolving. Through exhibitions, events, and education, it connects today’s audiences to generations of Caribbean influence.

And when the lights dim, the message still lingers. The memory of last year’s concert still sits with me — that crowd glowing with joy, the air full of rhythm and connection. In moments like that, it’s easy to forget the headlines, the doom scrolling, the division. And that’s when I remembered what Walshy Fire told me: this music reminds us, “All I know is we’re going to be fine. We’re going to stay together and we’re going to stay positive.”

5 things to know about Reggae Genealogy 2026

1. The venue has changed. Last year’s event was held outside the Island SPACE museum at Broward Mall. This year, it’s moved to Volunteer Park, offering more space and a true outdoor concert experience.
2. The theme is cinematic. Lights, Camera, Reggae! explores reggae’s role in shaping movies and pop culture — through visuals, narration, and live music.
3. It’s educational and emotional. The event blends performance with storytelling, giving audiences both a history lesson and a full-body vibe.
4. It’s presented by Island SPACE. The Caribbean museum produces the event to celebrate and preserve the cultural impact of Caribbean music worldwide.
5. It’s a celebration of legacy. Reggae Genealogy shows how Jamaican music continues to evolve, influence, and connect people across generations.

Event details
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Volunteer Park Community Center, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation, FL
Tickets: $25–$85
More info: reggaegenealogy.org/tickets