Street Supply and DJ Stamma back vinyl revival among reggae listeners

Vinyl records still hold firm value for reggae listeners in Jamaica, according to selector and collector Paul Watson, who is known as DJ Stamma. Speaking in a television interview, Watson said the format remains important both for listening and for preserving culture, while Street Supply at 82 Lady Musgrave Road continues to serve buyers looking for reggae, hip hop and classic titles. He said he is among the few DJs still playing vinyl and has been doing so for almost 10 years, using a two-turntable setup.

Watson said he has been collecting records for years and even holds a certificate from Merritone recognising his support from childhood. He also recalled an earlier era when selectors worked with a single turntable, meaning dances paused between songs while the next record was changed. Street Supply, which he described as one of Jamaica's leading record shops, operates at Kaya behind Dub Wise Cafe.

He said the crackle listeners sometimes hear on records usually comes from dust and wear, although proper cleaning can improve playback and some records from the 1970s still remain in excellent condition. Watson also explained that his nickname came from a stutter that can affect him when he feels nervous, overwhelmed or excited.

Through his Club RPM event, Watson said he partners with Street Supply to spotlight Jamaican music, culture and the sound-system tradition. He added that the initiative also gives people a chance to learn how to handle and play vinyl records. Among newer releases available through the store, he pointed to titles by Lila Ike, Popcaan, Mortimer and Shaggy's Out of Many, One Music.

Watson said part of vinyl's appeal is the story carried in album covers, liner notes and other details that come with a physical release. He argued that buying records can support artists more directly than streaming, which he said pays too little, and noted that the global vinyl business is worth about US$1.8 billion. He said records at the shop typically sell for between US$30 and US$60, while adding that not every artist releases on vinyl and some albums only return later through reissues.