Author: Sydney White
Jah Lil, born Jerome Adrian Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, is a rising reggae artist dedicated to consciousness, depth, and culture. While many of his peers gravitate toward dancehall, Jah Lil stays true to reggae’s roots, drawing inspiration from icons like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Joseph Hill. His music blends traditional reggae with an experimental style.
Source: instagram.com/jahlilmusicja
Jah Lil discovered his talent during talent showcases at Rousseau Primary School in Kingston. He further honed his skills as a member of the Jamaica College choir. Lacking formal training, he performed at weddings, funerals, church concerts, and, like many Jamaican artists, on sound systems. In a television interview, Jah Lil credited his growth in songwriting and musicianship to divine guidance and perseverance.
His breakthrough came in 2011 when he met Jon Williams, a classical jazz and reggae musician and former music director for reggae icon Freddie McGregor. Their collaboration led to a victory in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s gospel song competition with “We Need” (Weeping Men) in 2012. The song not only won the competition but also earned accolades for best performance, arrangement, and lyrics.
This success introduced him to reggae producer Danny Browne, leading to the release of “One Wrong, One Right” in 2014. The track continues to circulate on international playlists. Over the next decade, Jah Lil released multiple singles, culminating in his debut album, Can a Man Cry, in 2024. The album, considered one of the best reggae releases of the year, features the hit “Currency Called Time,” one of the most-played tracks of 2024.
Jah Lil’s music carries messages of hope, love, and inspiration, with powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics drawn from his Jamaican roots, social issues in Kingston’s “concrete jungles,” and his Rastafarian faith. He credits National Heroes like Marcus Garvey and Nanny, along with icons like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, as his sources of inspiration.
As one of reggae’s most prolific songwriters, Jah Lil has over 1,000 unreleased songs. His recent collaborations include work with the Silly Walk Discotheque crew (Germany), Fatbabs Band (France), Surfer Girl Band (California), and XTM Nation, a Jamaican roots reggae band led by Kareem Burrell, son of the legendary Fatis Burrell.
Unlike many of his peers who perform primarily in Jamaica or the Caribbean diaspora, Jah Lil has toured worldwide, bringing reggae to the places Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff once did. Currently, he and his Alchemy Band are touring Europe, performing in countries including Sweden, France, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the UK.
Follow Jah Lil’ on most social media platforms:
instagram.com/jahlilmusicja
x.com/jahlilmusicja
facebook.com/jahlilsongs
youtube.com/@Jahliljamaica
soundcloud.com/jahlilmusicja
jahlilmusicbookings@gmail.com
