Knotty Royal channels Jamaican heritage on Doctor Bird single

Canada-based reggae artiste Knotty Royal is using his new release, Doctor Bird, to salute Jamaica’s past, culture and scenery. The track was recorded on the well-known Hill and Gully Riddim.

He said the idea first came to him during a 2010 trip to Jamaica, when a family member spoke with him about Christopher Columbus reaching the island. The account stayed in his memory and later came back strongly after he heard the riddim. “That story stuck to me like cedar stain. When I heard the riddim, the story and the music came together in my mind,” he said.

With Doctor Bird, Knotty Royal said he wants to point listeners toward Jamaica’s global impact, while also honouring the country’s natural beauty and cultural inheritance. “I want listeners to understand that Jamaica is a positive force in the world. People look to us for positive vibes, and our landscape and culture are beautiful and incomparable,” he explained.

According to the artiste, the Hill and Gully Riddim appealed to him right away because it carried a distinctly Jamaican sound and reflected the national motto, “Out of Many, One People.”

Knotty Royal has said he would like noted producer Stephen McGregor, who is widely known as Di Genius, to give the single his official backing. “Music is both entertainment and business. When those two things come together, great things can happen,” he said.

Since Doctor Bird was released, he said fans have responded positively. Some supporters have even suggested that the song should be submitted for the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition.

Although he lives in Canada, Knotty Royal said his bond with Jamaica remains strong. He keeps up with Jamaican radio and follows what is happening in the local music industry.

The artiste said his path in music has been shaped by a lifelong passion for reading, prayer and song. He acknowledged that trying to build a reggae career from the diaspora can be difficult, but he still regards Jamaica as the main test for reggae and dancehall performers. “If you buss in Jamaica, you buss in the world,” he said.

Knotty Royal also sees the response to the Hill and Gully movement as evidence that more people are embracing positive music and Jamaican culture in its traditional form.

Outside of Doctor Bird, he is preparing several other singles, among them Rip & Run Off, Learn Time, Motivation and Run. He is also still promoting Holy Mountain, his debut album released in 2024.

As he looks ahead, Knotty Royal said he wants stronger radio support and a wider international following, while continuing to make music rooted in his faith, culture and Jamaican identity. Doctor Bird can be heard on major streaming services, including YouTube and Spotify.