Shyne, Rodney Barnes Headline Island Music Conference 2026 in Kingston

Kingston will welcome the Island Music Conference (IMC) Feb 25-28, 2026, at the Courtleigh Auditorium, bringing headline sessions from Moses Michael Levi Barrow, known as Shyne, and storyteller-producer Rodney Barnes. The fourth-day gathering of artists, executives, producers, managers, songwriters and journalists aims to connect Jamaica’s creative engine with the global music marketplace under the theme "Music Is the Unifying Force."

Shyne is scheduled to present a keynote titled "From Stage to State," a platform that signals conversations beyond performance into leadership, influence and cultural representation. Rodney Barnes will lead a session on storytelling and culture-to-commerce, centering how narrative and heritage translate into revenue streams and licensing opportunities. Those keynotes set the tone for a conference designed for both the creative and business sides of music.

Programming will include panels on production, publishing and artist development. "The Power of the Producer" will feature Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor, Silent Addy and David "Yeti Beats" Spencer, offering an inside look at beat-making, arranging and producing across reggae, dancehall and contemporary hybrid sounds. "Breaking Into Publishing" will bring Martin Kierszenbaum and others to discuss rights, sync, royalties and how songwriters and managers can capture value from global use of Jamaican music.

IMC, founded in February 2023, positions Jamaica not just as a source of rhythm but as a live node in the global music economy. For producers, the conference is a chance to pitch riddims and collaborate with international tastemakers. For songwriters and publishers, sessions on publishing and storytelling are practical forums to learn paperwork, pitching and catalog strategies. For managers and executives, panels on artist development and culture-to-commerce offer pathways to scale acts beyond local markets.

Networking will be crucial. The conference gathers the full value chain from creators to commerce, meaning delegates can meet potential collaborators, sync agents, label execs and media in concentrated time. Attendees interested in production can hear case studies from Stephen McGregor and peers; writers can map publishing pipelines with Martin Kierszenbaum; and artists can outline development plans informed by both creative and commercial leaders.

IMC 2026 aims to deepen industry know-how while amplifying Jamaica’s voice in global music conversations. Expect practical takeaways, from production techniques to publishing steps that artists and managers can apply immediately. As Kingston hosts these conversations, musicians and industry professionals should watch for program details and prepare materials, demos and pitch decks to make the most of the concentrated opportunity.