Born in the Accompong (Maroon) Hills of Jamaica, Errol “Skippah” Blackwood would find a second home in Canada. Growing up, he was exposed to music through church as his father was a pastor. Blackwood moved to Toronto, Ontario, at a young age, where he would buy and learn to play his first bass guitar.

Inspired by all walks of music including rock, funk, soul, and the Nyahbinghi drumming style, he began writing and playing his own songs. He went on to play with several bands and began performing with Kitchener, Ontario, band People’s Choice at jam nights, eventually moving out there so they could play more often. It was once he moved out to Kitchener that he would help form the legendary group Messenjah in 1981.

The Canadian reggae legend believes in positivity and redemption as a mainstay to the genre, noting that reggae is now too shrouded in negativity. As a supporter of Black history and education, he hopes to uplift and encourage listeners. Blackwood continues to play and write music that stays authentic to the roots of the genre.

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