Top things to know
- Ras Zukes conducted a two‑month promotional tour across Jamaica from April to June 2026, appearing on TVJ, IRIE FM, FAME FM, The Edge FM, Dancehall Thursdays, Kingston Night Market and Caveman Rubbadub Garden.
- The official video for “Clarks & Bally” premiered on July 23, 2026, filmed in Montego Bay, Tivoli Gardens, downtown Kingston and Half‑Way Tree while avoiding depictions of guns, alcohol and violence.
- Following the campaign, Ras Zukes reports increased attention for his debut album Mama Tell Me That and the single, prompting promoter interest from Europe, Africa, Japan and the Caribbean and aspirations to perform at Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest.
Reggae artiste Ras Zukes says his two‑month promotional push across Jamaica from April to June 2026 is already delivering measurable results, with heightened interest in his debut album Mama Tell Me That and the lead single Clarks & Bally. According to the artiste and his management, the campaign has attracted attention from promoters in Europe, Africa, Japan and the Caribbean, opening doors for future bookings.
The initiative featured a series of live appearances on some of the island’s most influential media outlets. Ras Zukes performed on TVJ’s Smile Jamaica, IRIE FM, FAME FM and The Edge FM, and took the stage at recurring events such as Dancehall Thursdays, the Kingston Night Market and the Caveman Rubbadub Garden. Each appearance was aimed at reaching diverse audiences across different demographics and musical tastes.
After returning to the United States, he continued the momentum by performing at the Jamaica Independence Celebrations held in Hartford, Connecticut. This out‑of‑state show helped reinforce his connection with the diaspora while showcasing his music to an international audience.
The visual component of the rollout arrived on July 23, 2026, when the official video for Clarks & Bally premiered. Filmed in locations ranging from Montego Bay’s Flanker district and surrounding communities to Tivoli Gardens, downtown Kingston and Half‑Way Tree, the video deliberately steered clear of the usual tropes of guns, alcohol and violence. Instead, it highlighted children playing, families gathering and the vibrant everyday life of Jamaican neighbourhoods, a choice Ras Zukes described as an effort to present the authentic beauty of the island’s ghettos.
Since the video’s release, Ras Zukes reports a noticeable uptick in streams, social media mentions and press coverage for both the single and the full album. His management team confirms that promoters from four continents have expressed interest in securing him for festivals, club dates and cultural events. The artiste himself notes that the response validates his belief that promoting reggae and dancehall from Jamaica can serve as a springboard to global recognition.
Looking ahead, Ras Zukes says he is actively pursuing performance slots at two of Jamaica’s premier annual gatherings: Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest. He hopes that a successful appearance on those stages will further cement his place in the contemporary music scene and allow him to share his message with even larger audiences.
In addition to the Clarks & Bally visual, Ras Zukes has completed filming for the video that accompanies the title track Mama Tell Me That. He indicates that the piece is slated for release during the first week of September 2026 and will continue the same thematic approach, focusing on community resilience and cultural pride. The artiste emphasizes that by steering clear of clichéd imagery, he aims to challenge prevailing narratives about Jamaican urban areas and offer a more nuanced portrait that resonates both locally and abroad.