Belgium's Reggae Portal Since 2002
The oldest and largest portal for Jamaican music and culture in Belgium, connecting over 10,000 reggae enthusiasts every month.
Reggae.be traces its roots to reggae publications from the 1980s and 1990s. The website launched in 2002 as "not much more than an enriched forum" where community members could engage with content and announcements.
The site's inaugural concert review appeared February 10, 2002, covering Mr. Vegas and Ward 21 at a Brussels venue. Initial album critiques featured artists like Lee Perry, Jah Shaka, and UB40. The platform has since published over 1,500 reviews alongside numerous reports and interviews, creating a permanent digital archive where earlier print publications from the reggae zine era have become collector's items.
A significant organizational shift occurred when Reggae.be merged with Civalizee Foundation's internet forum and Antwerpmassive.be. This collaboration addressed a coverage gap, as "a whole new scene had emerged" during the 1990s and 2000s focused on dancehall and dub culture that deserved greater visibility.
The platform expanded linguistically by recruiting French-speaking contributors and maintaining multilingual content. Volunteer translators enable publication in multiple languages. The organization transitioned to automated ticketing systems and advertising-supported operations.
Jah Rebel (Tim Ianna) assumed editor-in-chief responsibilities in 2015, while Jah Shakespear (Karel Michiels) continues as senior writer. A volunteer team covers the Belgian reggae community's developments comprehensively across multiple musical subgenres.
Reggae.be is an initiative of the non-profit organization Beljam Reggae Massive (BRM). Our goal is to promote and support Jamaican music and culture in all its forms.
We consciously opt for high quality, well written event reports, album reviews, interviews and news stories. As we also try to reach the French and English speaking reggae community, we try to publish as many of our articles as possible in three languages.
Operating since 2002, Reggae.be serves as Belgium's largest resource for Jamaican culture and the primary hub for the local reggae community. We combine concert coverage, cultural news, artist interviews, event listings, and social media engagement to create a comprehensive destination for enthusiasts.
15+ passionate contributors keeping the spirit of reggae alive in Belgium
Editor in Chief
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
Senior Writer & Founder
Reggae enthusiast since 1977, writing professionally since early 1980s for publications like De Morgen and De Standaard. Founded the website in 2002. Author of two books on reggae culture and history.
Editorial Staff
Jamaican culture enthusiast with academic background in Caribbean literature and dub poetry research, focusing on violence and resistance themes in dancehall music.
Editorial Staff
Music-focused writer with roots reggae and raggamuffin preferences. Contributes to Reggae.fr and serves as distributor/interviewer for cannabis publication Soft Secrets.
Editorial Staff
Theatre-maker and actor describing himself as "passionate collector of everything from early ska to conscious dancehall," seeking to give back to reggae community.
Editorial Staff
Late 1970s reggae convert. Formerly with Burnin' Ash and Tsjaka Band. Recently returned to composing and songwriting with focus on reggae's spiritual and social dimensions.
Editorial Staff
Dedicated two thesis works to reggae and Rastafarian culture. Active in Belgian dub scene since 2017 as organizer and MC for Bloodhound Soundsystem.
Editorial Staff
Radio enthusiast from youth who co-hosted De Bende van Sardonis (2015-2022) on Radio Scorpio, with interests spanning reggae, ragga, ska, jungle, and drum & bass.
Photography & Editorial
Reggae concert regular since 1991. Combines photography passion with vinyl collecting, particularly roots music, capturing artist performance and charisma.
Photography & Editorial
Vinyl collector since age fifteen. Active DJ with Roots Explosion Soundsystem since 2016. Hosts biweekly Reggae Excursion radio show and researches sound system culture and Black history.
Social Media
Describes reggae's power as life-changing, serves as promotional ambassador at dub, roots, and dancehall events.
Marketing & PR
Reggae enthusiast since age fifteen. Incorporates Rasta philosophy with business acumen, dedicated to African and Caribbean advocacy.
Creating this site hasn't been easy, but the support from our partners and the donations from our crowdfunding campaign have made it possible. This page is dedicated to recognizing all those who have contributed to keeping Reggae.be alive and thriving.
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Support Reggae.beHelp us continue sharing the best of reggae culture since 2002