Jesse Royal — born Jepther McClymont in Kingston — has been named the 2025 Daily Reggae Artist of the Year following an extraordinary twelve months of major music releases, a global tour, and his deepening position as one of the most important voices in contemporary roots reggae. His music — conscious lyricism, rich melodic arrangements, and a deeply spiritual Rastafari worldview — resonates across generations. “I always approach music as a responsibility,” Royal told Daily Reggae. “Roots reggae exists to speak truth, to give people the tools to understand their reality and find joy within it.” His collaborations with Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid, and international producers have expanded his sonic palette while keeping his message firmly rooted in Jamaican cultural tradition.