History of the Caribbeans | Exploring Resilience and Culture
Join Caribbean history experts Joe & Kevin as they uncover the #1 Caribbean History & Culture Podcast powerful stories, cultural legacies, and untold truths that shaped the region in History of the Caribbeans: Tales of Resilience and Culture — a podcast for listeners passionate about Caribbean history, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a people who’ve shaped the world.
Dana Seetahal’s Assassins — The Network Too Powerful to Name

When Trinidad’s top prosecutor Dana Seetahal was assassinated in a calculated, military-style hit, the public demanded answers. But what they got was silence. Behind her death lies an invisible criminal network—funded by drug money, protected by politics, and operating through systems meant to uphold justice. This isn’t just the story of one woman’s murder. It’s the story of how a state can be infiltrated, silenced, and reshaped from within.Who pulled the trigger? Why were her files never recovered?
And who still has the power to keep the truth buried ten years later?
If ga...
Dada Cop — The Double Life of Jamaica’s Most Feared Enforcer

He was a ghost with a badge. A killer with state protection. In Kingston’s deadliest garrison, one man blurred the line between police officer and gangland enforcer so perfectly that even the government used him—until it didn’t.Was Dada Cop a rogue gangster? Or a sanctioned asset the state had to erase?For years, he carried out hits using inside intel, terrorized rivals while slipping through the cracks of the justice system, and allegedly helped orchestrate defenses during the Tivoli siege. Then, he vanished. His body was found burned. But no case. No autopsy. No truth.Was it...
Don of Tivoli: The Ruthless Rise and Bloody Fall of Rohan Gordon

Most people think they understand Jamaican gang culture—until they hear the true story of Rohan “Don” Gordon.
He rose from street enforcer to the feared successor of Jim Brown, commanding Tivoli Gardens through brute force, cocaine routes, and political intimidation. But his crown came at a cost.
Why did his own allies turn against him after a mysterious tape leaked?
Who really ordered the hit that killed him under Kingston’s blood-soaked streets?
And why did the system that built him decide to bury him?This isn’t just a story about gangs. It’s about betra...
Deedo: The Jungle Enforcer Who Declared War on Tivoli

He wasn’t just another Kingston gunman. Deedo was the PNP’s shadow enforcer—controlling cocaine corridors, directing political hits, and orchestrating war against Jim Brown’s Tivoli Gardens. For a decade, he operated above the law—until his violent death shattered Jungle’s control and plunged South Kingston into chaos.
Was Deedo a protector, a killer—or both?
And did the state help build the monster it later buried?
This isn’t just a story of a gangster. It’s a buried chapter in Jamaica’s political warfare.
Would you have feared him—or followed him?
Entrapment or Empire: The Buju Banton Cocaine Sting

Most people think Buju Banton’s arrest was about drugs. But the real story may be more disturbing. This reggae icon never handled cocaine, never made money, and wasn’t even present at the drug deal. So why did a U.S. jury convict him—and why was a paid DEA informant allowed to bait him into criminal talk for five months?Was it justice? Or was it a trap designed to silence a rising voice in Caribbean resistance music?This explosive investigation explores the surveillance tapes, courtroom drama, cultural fallout, and prison redemption of one of Jamaica’s most cont...
Fresh to Death — The Rise and Betrayal of Kerwin Phillip

Kerwin “Fresh” Phillip wasn’t just another gangster—he was Trinidad’s most provocative symbol of street power and style. But behind the designer clothes and Instagram followers was a darker truth: secret deals with police, betrayals by his own men, and a flash drive that could've brought down the entire system. When Fresh was gunned down in a surgical ambush, the state said nothing. His family buried him quietly. And yet, his name still lives in the streets he once ruled.Was Fresh a criminal mastermind, a political pawn, or both?And what happened to the encrypted flash drive found...
Mark Guerra: Murdered in Custody — The Gang Boss Who Died with Secrets Too Dangerous to Live

Mark Guerra was more than a gang boss—he was a kingmaker in Trinidad’s most dangerous neighborhood. From drug routes to political favors, he built a criminal empire with government secrets at its core. But in 2004, he was arrested—and murdered before he could testify. The official story said “gang dispute.” But the broken ribs, bruises, and missing toxicology report tell a darker tale.Who silenced Guerra—and what did he know that made him too dangerous to live?
Why were key files sealed for over a decade?
And is his ghost still shaping the streets of Laventill...
Robocop: The Businessman Who Ruled Enterprise With a Gun in One Hand and Groceries in the Other

Most people think a gangster can’t be a community hero—until they meet Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis. He ruled Enterprise with ruthless authority, but also fed children, paid rent for the poor, and kept order where the government failed. Was he a villain in disguise—or the only thing keeping his neighborhood from collapse?
Why was he assassinated in broad daylight?
And why, years later, does no one dare say who ordered the hit?
This isn’t just the story of a Trinidadian crime boss—it’s a brutal mirror held up to power, poverty, and silence in the Ca...
Stone Crusher Gang — The Butchers of Montego Bay

Most people think gangs hide in the shadows. But the Stone Crusher Gang walked into police stations and opened fire — daring Jamaica’s government to stop them.
This isn’t just a gang story. It’s a tale of how Montego Bay, a tourist paradise, became a war zone. From military-style executions to beheadings and extortion of entire neighborhoods, Stone Crusher ruled St. James with brutality and precision.
Why did the justice system fail to hold its leader, Eldon Calvert, accountable — even after over 100 murders?
And what does it say about a nation when gangs become more powerf...
The Ghost Supplier: Michael “Freddie” Brown and the Guns That Set Jamaica on Fire

Michael “Freddie” Brown never made headlines—but every gang war in Jamaica bore his fingerprints. From Spanish Town to May Pen, he armed an entire generation without ever being seen. He wasn’t a don. He wasn’t a killer. He was worse: the man who made killing easier.
This cinematic investigative true crime story unpacks how one arms dealer ran a ghost pipeline of U.S. weapons into Jamaica for over a decade—fueling wars, balancing power, and leaving destruction long after his death.
Why did politicians look the other way?
How many of his weapons are...
Exploring Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Most travelers see Saint Vincent as a tropical getaway. But behind the beaches lies a defiant history of Indigenous resistance, African survival, and cultural resurrection. This is the untold story of the Garifuna, the volcano that fights back, and the people who turned colonization into cuisine — and trauma into tradition.How did Saint Vincent defy European conquest for centuries?
Why is breadfruit more than food — and Carnival more than dance?
And why are Vincentians still fighting for their land, their rituals, and their rhythm?This isn't just a cultural journey — it's a survival epic written in ash, arrowro...
Exploring Grenada: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Most people think of Grenada as paradise. But beneath the postcard beaches lies an island forged in fire—of revolution, ritual, and resistance. This isn’t just the story of nutmeg or Carnival. It’s about the women who boiled bush medicine in silence, the rebels who took on empire, and the ancestors who still whisper through waves. Why do some recipes carry more power than any flag? And why do Grenadians pray before opening a pot of oil down?
This story challenges everything you think you know about culture, colonization, and Caribbean survival.
What does it really...
Exploring Curaçao: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Curaçao is more than beaches and pastel buildings — it’s a living archive of resistance. From the coded flavors of Creole kitchens to the rebel drums of tambu, this is an island where culture defied empire. Why did the Dutch ban tambu music? What secrets are still whispered in the language of Papiamentu? And how does Carnival serve as protest behind the feathers and sequins? This isn’t just a travel story — it’s a reckoning with history, survival, and identity.
Would you know the truth if you danced right through it?
Or would you mistake resistance...
Exploring Saint Lucia: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Most tourists only see the beaches—but real Saint Lucia lives in the hills, kitchens, and memories of its people. From the brutal legacy of sugar plantations to the whispered tales of the soucouyant, this island has resisted colonization not just with rebellion—but with culture.How did enslaved Africans preserve their heritage under empire?
Why was the Kwéyòl language nearly erased—and how did it survive?
And what does cassava bread have to do with rebellion?This is more than a travel story. It’s the living memory of a people who refused to forget.
Exploring Guadeloupe: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Most people know Guadeloupe for its beaches. But beneath the postcard lies a layered story of resistance, rhythm, and cultural survival. This isn’t just a Caribbean island—it’s a French department shaped by African roots, colonial betrayal, and spiritual memory.Why did France allow a banned pesticide to poison 90% of its people?
Why is Kreyòl still unofficial in a land where it’s everyone’s first language?
And what do Carnival masks and gwoka drums reveal that textbooks never will?From maroon revolts to modern protests, this immersive exploration peels back the masks—literal and political...
Exploring Martinique: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Martinique may be a French territory on paper, but its soul burns with Creole fire. Behind the beaches and baguettes lies a story of poisoned soil, erased memory, and a culture that refuses to be silenced. From ancestral altars hidden in kitchens to Carnival flames mocking colonial power, this is an island that confronts its trauma through dance, protest, and cuisine. Why do most tourists never hear about the chlordecone scandal? Why does France still own most of Martinique’s land? And what happens when the island’s youth choose to burn statues instead of light candles?
This isn’...
Exploring Puerto Rico: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Puerto Rico isn’t just a Caribbean paradise—it’s a cultural battleground. Behind the palm trees and pastel buildings lies a centuries-long story of survival, colonization, and resistance. From the sacred rhythm of Bomba to the flavors born of slavery and spice, this cinematic journey explores how Puerto Ricans have preserved their identity through food, faith, and fierce creative rebellion.
Why are Santería rituals still practiced behind Catholic icons?
Why does Puerto Rico produce global pop stars yet lacks full voting rights?
And how has resistance always been a recipe—served hot with sofrito, salsa, and...
Exploring Cuba: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Cuba isn’t just palm trees and vintage cars — it’s a living archive of survival, faith, and flavor. From the hidden rituals of Santería to the street food that tells stories older than the Revolution, this immersive cultural deep dive uncovers the soul of a nation that refuses to forget its past. What does it mean to cook under embargo? To worship in secret? To dance history into the streets of Santiago?Why are Afro-Cuban belief systems still misunderstood — even as they shape national identity?
And what secrets are preserved in recipes passed down through war, scarcity...
Exploring Dominican Republic: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Most people know the Dominican Republic for beaches and resorts — but few know the truth beneath the tourist trail. From Taino resistance to Afro-Caribbean spirituality, and from Carnival devils to revolutionary sisters, this is a nation built on survival, spirit, and rebellion.Why does Dominican food hold centuries of history in every bite?
Why are women the true protectors of cultural memory?
And what do masked Carnival devils have to do with the slave trade?This isn’t your average travel guide — it’s an immersive journey through a country that refuses to be silenced, whitewashed, or forgotte...
Exploring Haiti: Culture, Cuisine & Caribbean Adventures

Beneath the headlines and beyond the stereotypes lies a Haiti few are willing to confront — a nation whose culture is not just preserved, but weaponized in the name of survival. From mountaintop fortresses to funeral parades, Vodou rituals to agricultural resistance, this Smithsonian-style exploration challenges everything we think we know about freedom, faith, and food.Why does Haitian Creole still fight for legitimacy?
What can a soup or a mask teach us about revolution?
And why does the world still fear Haiti’s memory?This is not a story of poverty. It’s a story of power.
T...
Caribbean Gangsta's: Vivian Blake - Brains of the Posse

Most people remember the Shower Posse for its violence — but behind the guns was a mind far more dangerous. Vivian Blake wasn’t a killer. He was a strategist, a money man, and the architect of one of the most powerful drug syndicates in modern history. From Miami boardrooms to Kingston safehouses, Blake ran the empire with cold precision — until he flipped.Why did the educated co-founder of the Shower Posse betray the very syndicate he built?And did his mysterious death in Jamaica prove he knew too much?This story isn’t just about crime — it’s about betrayal, cor...
Caribbean Gangsta's: Joel Andem - The Gideon Warlock and the Cult of Death

Most people think gangs are about money and power—until they meet a man like Joel Andem.
In this shocking true crime story, we expose the rise of Jamaica’s most feared gang leader turned cult prophet. From mystical sermons to ritual killings, Andem didn’t just run the streets—he preached over them. How did one man convince a generation of young men that murder was a divine mission?
And why did it take the state years to bring him down?
This isn’t just the story of a gang.
It’s a terrifying look into wha...
Caribbean Gangsta's: The Trial of Black Man - Jamaica’s Bloodiest Secrets Uncovered

Most people think they understand gangs — until they see how one man turned a street crew into a militarized empire. Andre “Black Man” Bryan didn’t just terrorize Spanish Town. He ran a paramilitary network capable of mass killings, coordinated extortion, and political intimidation.
Why did businesses across Jamaica pay monthly “taxes” to survive?
Why were officers scared to testify — even under protection?
And how did a man already in handcuffs still call the shots?
This isn’t just a criminal case. It’s a mirror to a system where silence equals survival, and loyalty means death.
D...
Caribbean Gangsta's: Tesha Miller: The Resurrection of Jamaica’s Untouchable Don

Jamaica thought it had finally buried one of its most notorious gang leaders. But Tesha Miller—leader of the feared Clansman Gang—refused to stay dead in the headlines. From assassinations and extortion to ghost-like returns and political whispers, this story dives into how one man manipulated power, fear, and justice for over two decades.Why did politicians meet with gang leaders under cover of darkness?
Why did it take four arrests to finally convict him of murder?
And even now—locked away—why do so many believe Tesha is still calling the shots?This isn’t just a sto...
Caribbean Gangsta's: The Terror of Spanish Town - The Rise and Fall of Andrew “Bun Man” Hope

Most people think of gang warfare as chaos. But Andrew “Bun Man” Hope turned it into calculated military control. He transformed One Order into a paramilitary force, carried out daylight ambushes, and battled the Clansman Gang for total domination of Spanish Town. Police called him a terrorist. His community called him a savior. But when a 2006 shootout ended his life, questions still echoed: Who betrayed him? Was he executed? And did his war leave Spanish Town broken beyond repair?
This is more than a gangster story—it’s a brutal reflection on what happens when power, protection, and politics...
Caribbean Gangsta's: Bebe Dawkins - The Muscle Behind the Throne

Most people think gang leaders are the real power—until they meet the man behind the gun. Glenford “Bebe” Dawkins wasn’t a kingpin. He was something more dangerous—a loyal soldier with no fear and no mercy. As Jim Brown’s enforcer, Bebe ruled the streets of Kingston, Miami, and Brooklyn with quiet brutality. But when loyalty becomes a threat, even the most feared man becomes disposable.
Why was Bebe executed in cold blood by his own brothers?
Who stood to gain from silencing the most loyal killer in the Shower Posse?
This isn’t just a gangster...
Caribbean Gangsta's: The Crown Prince of Spanish Town - Willie Haggart and the Funeral That Started a War

He wasn’t just a gangster — he was a kingmaker. Willie Haggart ran Spanish Town like royalty, commanding loyalty from the streets and politicians alike. But when he was assassinated, his death didn’t end a legacy — it ignited one. His funeral was so grand, it looked more like a state affair than a sendoff for a street don.So why did his death fracture Jamaica’s delicate political underworld?
Why did a “Robin Hood” figure end up inspiring one of the bloodiest gang wars in the island’s history?
And why are his murals still untouched in neighborhoods...
Donald Zekes Phipps – Downtown Kingston Don or Political Pawn? | Caribbean History Podcast

Donald Zekes Phipps – Downtown Kingston Don or Political Pawn? In this episode of our Caribbean history podcast, renowned history experts journey through Jamaica’s turbulent post-colonization era to unpack the untold truths behind Donald “Zekes” Phipps, the Matthews Lane strong-man whose power rivaled the police and whose charisma captivated Kingston. Was Zekes a ruthless gangster, a folk hero forged by cultural resilience, or a calculated political weapon discarded when convenient?
We trace his rise amid dancehall, reggae, and the birth of Jamaican music icons like Vybz Kartel; explore the legacy of maroon communities and the wider Caribbean diaspora; and ask...
Jim Brown : Jamaica’s Most Dangerous Secret | Caribbean Gangstas & Political Conspiracy

Everyone in Jamaica feared Jim Brown—but no one expected the state to burn him alive.
He wasn’t just another drug lord. He was a political weapon, handpicked by the Jamaica Labour Party, protected by state power, and used to control votes through fear, guns, and loyalty. Tivoli Gardens wasn’t a neighborhood. It was a fortress. And when the U.S. called for his extradition, he didn’t get on the plane—he died in a locked cell fire.
No justice. No trial. No truth.
This episode dives deep into the story that Jamai...
Christopher Dudus Coke Documentary | The Jamaican Don Who Held a Nation Hostage | Caribbean Gangster

Power, politics, and Caribbean history collide in “Dudus Coke Documentary: The Jamaican Don Who Held a Nation Hostage.” Journey from Kingston’s Tivoli Gardens—where Christopher “Dudus” Coke ruled like a king—to the U.S. courtroom that finally silenced him. History experts, travel experts, and Jamaican music insiders unpack how colonization, Cold-War politics, and dancehall culture forged a cartel that was loved by its community yet feared worldwide.
Why did an entire neighborhood face off against the Jamaican Army to protect a wanted trafficker?
How did black history, maroon communities, and post-independence resilience shape today’s Caribbean identi...
Why Reggae Will Outlive Every Trend

Why Reggae Will Outlive Every Trend dives deep into the beating heart of Caribbean music and identity. Guided by history experts and veteran musicians, we trace reggae’s roots through colonization, maroon communities, black history, and the enduring spirit of island life. From Kingston sound-systems to the Costa Rican Caribbean coast, discover untold truths about cultural resilience, the rise of dancehall, and how artists—from Bob Marley to Vybz Kartel—turned Jamaica’s struggles into a global soundtrack of freedom. Whether you’re a travel expert planning your next trip, a Caribbean woman preserving heritage, or simply a fan of hypnotic r...
Marcia Griffiths Sexism Fight In The Music Industry | Hidden Truth

Legend meets resistance. For more than six decades, “Queen of Reggae” Marcia Griffiths has walked a tightrope between chart-topping success and the hard reality of a male-dominated music business. In this episode our history experts trace her journey from Kingston’s Studio One to international stardom with Bob Marley’s I-Threes, exposing the silent battles she fought against pay gaps, predatory gatekeepers, and radio boycotts.
Griffiths calls it a “rough, tough job standing up as a woman in this business,” yet her anthems—especially the sister-focused “Survival”—turned personal struggle into collective strength. We unpack how her story reshapes Caribbean h...
Victim’s Voice: Letters from Laci’s Family

She was eight months pregnant. He said he went fishing. What followed became one of the most infamous trials in American history.But behind the headlines and media circus, there were secrets even darker than the public ever knew. Secret mistresses. Lie after lie. And a grieving family whose letters reveal what justice truly costs.Why did Scott Peterson say it was his “first Christmas without his wife” — two weeks before Laci even went missing?And why did her body wash up exactly where he said he went fishing?This isn’t just a story about guilt or innocence. It’s abo...
Alton Ellis: The Godfather of Rocksteady and the Soul of Jamaica

Most people know Bob Marley. But what if the real heart of Jamaica’s sound was someone quieter—someone who sang about love in a time of war? Alton Ellis helped create rocksteady, shaped lovers rock, and stood up against political violence, all while being robbed of credit and crushed by the industry he helped build.Why do we remember the revolutionaries but forget the romantics?
And why did Jamaica’s smoothest voice die almost unknown in a foreign hospital bed?This story rewrites what you thought you knew about Jamaican music.
Who really shaped the sound of rebe...
Luciano: The Messenger Who Sang Against Babylon

In a world chasing fame and flash, one man dared to sing about faith, resistance, and righteousness. Luciano, known as The Messenger, didn’t just create music—he created spiritual ammunition. From his humble roots in Jamaica’s hills to global stages, Luciano stood tall against the rise of Babylon culture. But how did a reggae singer survive the storm of police raids, media backlash, and industry pressure without losing his voice—or his mission?This isn’t just a story about a man. It’s a story about a movement. About what it means to stay grounded when everything ar...
Anthony B: Fire in His Voice, Freedom in His Steps

Before the world paid attention, Anthony B was already burning Babylon to the ground—lyrically, spiritually, and culturally. In an industry overrun by vanity and compromise, he stood out as a barefoot prophet, a Bobo warrior who turned every stage into a battleground of truth. Why did radio stations ban his biggest song? How did his decision to wear a turban nearly derail his career? And what drives him to keep touring, chanting, and mentoring decades later?This isn’t just a reggae story. It’s a battle hymn.
What’s the cost of standing firm in a world th...
Sugar Minott: The Rebel Architect Who Built Dancehall’s Future

Most people think they know who built reggae. But few know about the man who laid the foundation for dancehall — not with money, but with heart. Sugar Minott wasn’t just a singer. He was a builder of dreams. At a time when Jamaica’s music industry shut out ghetto youth, he opened his own studio and let the unheard speak. Junior Reid. Tenor Saw. Little John. Garnet Silk. They all passed through his doors — but the world barely mentions his name.So why has history ignored him?
And what does his story reveal about how we choose our hero...
Beres Hammond: The Voice That Made Hearts Kneel

Most reggae fans know Beres Hammond as the king of lover’s rock. But few realize the quiet revolution he led — not with fists or fire, but with vulnerability. In an era of bravado and noise, Beres carved a legacy built on soul, sorrow, and the healing power of melody.This isn’t just the story of a singer. It’s the journey of a man who gave voice to the Caribbean’s most intimate emotional truths — while keeping his own heartbreaks guarded in silence.Why did he keep his private life so fiercely protected?
And what nearly destroyed hi...
The Big Ship Captain: Freddie McGregor’s Journey Through Reggae’s Golden Age

Freddie McGregor isn’t just a voice — he’s a vessel. From his early days as a child star at Studio One to building his own musical empire with Big Ship, McGregor’s journey mirrors the evolution of reggae itself. But what kept him grounded through decades of shifting sounds, political unrest, and personal trials? How did he manage to blend romantic ballads and revolutionary anthems — and still influence new generations through his son’s chart-topping productions? This is the story of one of Jamaica’s most beloved sons. A man who stayed true to the message, even when the music chang...
The Revolutionary Dream of Pablo Moses

Most reggae artists chased charts. Pablo Moses chased truth. In an era dominated by gunmen lyrics and global fame, this soft-spoken Jamaican visionary created an underground movement through jazz-inflected roots reggae, philosophical lyrics, and spiritual rebellion. His 1975 debut, Revolutionary Dream, didn’t just challenge Babylon—it exposed it.So why did his work remain largely uncelebrated by the mainstream? And what does his long silence say about how the world treats thinkers who won’t play the fame game?This isn’t just a story about a musician. It’s about art as resistance. Voice as revolution.
Would you have he...