Cashan charts reggae debut Here Comes Kashan at number three

St. Ann recording artist Cashan has seen her debut reggae album Here Comes Kashan climb to number three, a 13-track set she frames as her most personal and uplifting work yet.

Long associated with dancehall, Cashan told TVJ Intense host Richie that the move into reggae is less a career pivot than a return to her roots. She said she grew up on reggae — citing Beres Hammond and Gregory Isaacs among her influences — and that love of the music, not genre branding, drives her. Collaborators over her career have included Pablo, Valiant and T-Bone.

The album’s direction took shape after a reggae cut from nearly two years ago was shared around by Kemper Boss. Positive response pushed Cashan and her team toward a full reggae project centred on message, inspiration and uplift. Features on the set include Yaxsta, Tat Man and Louie Culture; among the tracks is Roaring Lion, which she described as carrying a rebel vibe.

Cashan said the record feels truer to her than her harder dancehall material. She can share it with everyone in her contacts, she noted, whereas her dancehall songs were often too hardcore for a broad send-out. Asked whether she feels freer and more passionate in reggae than in dancehall, she answered yes. Dancehall, she explained, was a strategic early path for breakthroughs; reggae remains what she considers her real lane.

On whether she feels underrated in dancehall despite a large catalogue, Cashan said she does not dwell on it. Her parish has recognised her — she won Post Artist of the Year last year — and she gives thanks to St. Ann. She said she trusts her ability, God and timing, stays clear of envy and rivalry in the industry, and keeps putting out work.

She declined to name a favourite song, saying every track was strong. The project started at 15 songs before two were cut, a hard choice because she rated the whole batch highly. On industry juggling and gatekeeping around hits, she urged artists to keep doing their own work and believe in themselves rather than chase others’ patterns.

Cashan remains active in dancehall while pushing reggae now, and is inviting listeners to check the new album.