In Kingston, Jamaica, a star was born. Yvad was
performing an acoustic piece at the Tuff Gong
Museum when Stephen Marley noticed his talent
and signed him to Tuff Gong. His debut album
Young Gifted & Dread gained international
recognition with the single "We Need Love," which
won Best Produced Single at the Jamaica Music
Awards in 1995.
Yvad caught the attention of global media.
Billboard Magazine featured him multiple times,
MTV Europe highlighted his live Tuff Gong
performance, and BET's Caribbean Rhythms
dedicated an entire episode to him. In 1997, he
performed in the Marley Magic live show alongside
the Marley family.
He followed up with a second album, Justice,
showcasing his soulful voice and conscious lyrics. In
2006, Yvad became the lead singer of The Wailers
after meeting Aston “Family Man” Barrett. He
released The Sojourner and toured globally with the
band until 2012 before forming his own group, the
Reggae Renegades.
Despite changes in the music industry, Yvad has
stayed rooted in the culture that shaped him. His
positive, uplifting message and mesmerizing stage
presence continue to captivate audiences. Yvad
embodies the spirit of reggae—“love, peace, and
unity”—with great lyrics, melody, and heartfelt
consciousness. A rare gem, Yvad carries forward the
true essence of reggae music.
Backstage55
