Top things to know
- Jahdon, known as the Broomie Ambassador, is set to release his new single 'Call to Action' on October 30, produced by Iama Mamby Entertainment Limited and Audiotraxx Productions.
- He is scheduled to première the Broomland Musical Experience at the Tourism Product Development Co Ltd 'Craft with a Difference Expo' on November 28 at Turtle River Park in St Ann.
- Jahdon said broom-making in Canaan Heights, Clarendon, shaped his work ethic as an independent artiste and inspired his song 'Broomie'.
- His hand-made brooms have expanded into the tourism market through partnerships with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and its Things Jamaican stores.
- Jahdon and his wife, Francine, run Broomie International; they were at King's House on National Heroes Day to support her father, Robert Bacchus, who received an OD.
Reggae artiste Jahdon, known as the Broomie Ambassador, is preparing to release a new single and stage a cultural showcase rooted in the broom-making tradition of his native Canaan Heights, Clarendon.
His newest single, Call to Action, produced by Iama Mamby Entertainment Limited and Audiotraxx Productions, is set to arrive on October 30. He is also scheduled to première the Broomland Musical Experience, a cultural performing arts showcase, at the Tourism Product Development Co Ltd 'Craft with a Difference Expo' on November 28 at Turtle River Park in St Ann.
Jahdon, whose catalogue includes Broomie, Congo Bongo and Irony, has built a reputation for blending roots reggae with social commentary while championing Jamaica's traditional broom-making heritage.
In an interview with the Jamaica Gleaner's 5 Questions With... feature, published on National Heroes Day, Jahdon spoke about growing up in a community where broom-making has been a mainstay for more than 50 years.
"I call Canaan Heights Broomland because, growing up, broom-making was one of our main income sources. I saw creativity and resilience in action," he said. "My community is considered marginalised; for generations, many have been barred from employment just because of their address. So I observed many families having to resort to traditional craft skills they learned from their elders."
He said he recently learned that his maternal grandmother, known as Ms Dudu, was the first person to fold and make a yard broom in the community.
Jahdon, who was making brooms long before he began recording music, said the early enterprise shaped his work ethic as an independent artiste.
"My background in broom-making prepared me for my journey as an independent artiste. Being your own boss as a broom man requires responsibility," he said. "It takes a week for a broom man to harvest his materials, build his inventory, and sell ... and there is no guarantee that he will sell his load. It developed physical and mental stamina."
He drew a direct parallel between the craft and the music business, citing principles such as perfecting one's craft, budgeting, production, distribution, competition and sales.
According to the interview, the song Broomie grew out of a 2020 trip to Florida, where Jahdon was promoting his début album 369. He said the abundance of palm thatch in the area inspired him to make his first broom outside Jamaica, and a Rastafarian bredren named Painting Hue painted the handles red, gold and green. After he posted a photo on social media, fans created demand for his hand-made broom merchandise. Producer Ray Stephens sent him a riddim during the same period, and Broomie was born.
The brooms have since moved into the fashion and souvenir market. Jahdon said that in September 2024, while preparing for another promotional tour that did not come to fruition, he had made more than 200 hand brooms as merchandise. His team shifted focus to the local tourism market, pitching to Craft Cottage and the Gift Shop #4 in Devon House. They later partnered with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and its Things Jamaican stores, expanding the products to all their locations, including the Norman Manley International Airport.
Asked how he balances recording conscious reggae music and operating a business, Jahdon said broom-making comes naturally to him and that he uses his platform to bring awareness and economic opportunities to broom-makers.
"As an artiste, my life observations give me inspiration to tell stories that time-capsule the current times that we are in. Being an artiste and broom-maker are my creative expressions," he said.
On his song Irony, which he described as holding up a mirror to contradictions in Jamaican society, Jahdon said the same lens informs his community development work. He identified the diminishing state of Jamaica's craft industries, not only broom-making, as an important national issue.
Broomie International is run by Jahdon and his wife, Francine. Asked about working as a husband-and-wife duo, he said the rewards are the positive impact they are making in the community, while the challenges mirror those of any business partnership.
The interview took place at King's House, where Jahdon and Francine were supporting her father, Robert Bacchus, who received an OD for his contribution to the field of engineering and the construction industry.