Kass Smith Looks to Expand Jamaican Reggae’s Reach Across Latin America

Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Kass Smith has spent more than three decades building a career between Jamaica and Mexico, and he is now turning that experience toward a wider goal: expanding opportunities for Jamaican reggae throughout Latin America.

Born in Hanover, Smith began performing as a child before eventually moving to Mexico in 1992, learning Spanish and developing a bilingual career that crossed Jamaican and Latin musical cultures.

From Hanover to Mexico

Smith’s early musical development began in Jamaica, where he performed from childhood and earned recognition in national performing arts competitions.

He later studied painting, jazz piano and vocals while attending Cornwall College before continuing his education at the University of the West Indies.

After relocating to Mexico, Smith signed a multi-album agreement with EMI Music. His album “KuKaramakara” and the single “Ay Cosita Linda” helped establish him with Latin American audiences by blending Mexican melodic influences with Caribbean music.

A Career Built Across Cultures

Smith’s performance history has included appearances with artists ranging from Beenie Man and Ky-Mani Marley to Lee “Scratch” Perry, Juan Gabriel and Los Pericos.

He has also worked with Jamaican producers and musicians including Dean Fraser and Mikie Bennett.

His album “Journeys,” produced by Fraser and Bennett, continued his movement between Jamaican roots and the experiences he accumulated while living in Mexico.

Aiming Beyond Mexico

After decades of working within the Mexican market, Smith is increasingly focused on using those connections to help reggae move more deeply into Central and South America.

His current collaboration with Chuck Fenda on “The Chosen Ones” reflects that direction. The song was produced by Dean Fraser and developed through recording work in Mexico, the United States, Germany and Jamaica.

Smith has said his goal is to take Jamaican reggae beyond Mexico and into the wider Latin American and European markets while creating more collaboration opportunities for Jamaican artists.

Music, Art and Personal Development

Smith’s work extends beyond recording and performance. He is also a fine artist, entrepreneur, holistic teacher and motivational coach.

Those interests increasingly overlap with his music, particularly on “The Chosen Ones,” which grew from ideas around emotional, physical, spiritual and financial balance.

More than three decades after relocating from Jamaica, Smith’s career now functions as a bridge between two cultural spaces — one he hopes can open additional routes for Jamaican reggae internationally.

Reggae Pulse is Vision Newspaper – The Caribbean Update‘s coverage of reggae, dancehall and Caribbean music, artists and culture.

Follow Vision Newspaper on social media @VisionNewspaper for more Caribbean entertainment news.

The post Kass Smith Looks to Expand Jamaican Reggae’s Reach Across Latin America appeared first on Vision Newspaper.