Nigel R Telesford


Fresh from thrilling thousands gathered at the Queen's Park Savannah recently during their Carnival 2024 "IzWe Festival" and concert, 2020 Joint Soca Monarch and Road March King, Kees Dieffenthaller joins an esteemed cast of international recording artistes in Kingston Jamaica this week for the Island Music Conference (IMC).

This, even as international support for the IMC surges from various island states and countries around the globe with conference organisers reporting an enthusiastic r6esponse from the French-speaking island of Guadeloupe, other islands of the English-speaking Caribbean and even interests as far away as Zimbabwe.


“I can say the Caribbean is very supportive of this,” Co-founder, Judith Bodley revealed at a recently-held press event. “Guadeloupe is coming here with a 20-member delegation of government officials, artistes, producers and managers. Grenada’s delegation is coming, but is a bit smaller. Zimbabwe is coming with their delegation. We are growing ourselves as one Caribbean and beyond through music,” Bodley added.

Kes The Band's lead vocalist, Kees Dieffenthaller points to our camera during his performance at the band's annual IzWe Festival 2024. Click on the image to follow the band on Instagram

Shaggy takes a photo with "The Music Boss" Raymond Ramnarine and Kees Dieffenthaller at the Hard Rock Live in Florida last year

The IMC Workshop Schedule for Thursday features Kees on a panel alongside Teejay, Mya and Host, Tuma Basa. Click on the image to visit the conference website and see the entire week's schedule.

Kees and Shaggy perform live at the IzWe Festival 2023. Click on image to follow Shaggy.

Chaired by Kes' "Mood" collaborator and Diamond-selling, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer, Orville "Shaggy" Burrell, the Island Music Conference will run from February 21st to 25th, with daily sessions occurring predominantly at the Courtleigh auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica.


Major artistes participating, include: Wyclef Jean, Mya, Sean Paul, Teejay, the aforementioned Kes, Stonebwoy, Bounty Killer, Aidonia, Masicka, Marcia Griffiths, Jesse Royal and Konshens, among others.


Co-Founder and renowned artiste manager, Sharon Burke added that representatives from major companies such as YouTube, Meta, Spotify, Audiomack, Amazon, Warner Records and Ineffable Records are also attending this week's conference with Sirius XM, VP Records and United Masters all also offering one-on-one consultations as part of the conference.


A release from the IMC indicated that the five-day IMC event will include "over 15 panels, and workshops, featuring prominent Global music executives and practitioners who will unravel and provide insights into a slew of crucial global music topics, among them, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the music industry, the nuances of publicity, branding strategies, artiste management, digital music marketing strategies and effective money management".

Haitian-born hip-hop superstar, Wyclef jean plays the guitar as IMC Co-Founders, Judith Bodley (standing) and Sharon Burke look on and enjoy a light moment in studio. Click on the image to follow Wyclef on IG

The release noted that "a key objective of the IMC is to act as a facilitator, and as a gathering point to engage with artistes, address pivotal questions that can significantly influence careers, and ultimately propel Jamaica and the Caribbean’s music and entertainment sector forward as a cohesive unit".



Dieffenthaller will participate in a one hour session this Thursday afternoon entitled "Music is a Mission: Stay Woke" alongside Warner Music Recording artiste, Teejay; famed R&B Singer, Mya and host, Tuma Basa of YouTube Music.

The release noted that "a key objective of the IMC is to act as a facilitator, and as a gathering point to engage with artistes, address pivotal questions that can significantly influence careers, and ultimately propel Jamaica and the Caribbean’s music and entertainment sector forward as a cohesive unit".



Dieffenthaller will participate in a one hour session this Thursday afternoon entitled "Music is a Mission: Stay Woke" alongside Warner Music Recording artiste, Teejay; famed R&B Singer, Mya and host, Tuma Basa of YouTube Music.