K-Chief Studios takes Montego Bay Global -

K-Chief Studios takes Montego Bay Global

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With the first anniversary of the K-Chief Studios approaching, Michael Samuels and his team are preparing to host two reggae artistes from entirely different backgrounds.

Anslom Nakikus, cultural ambassador from Papua New Guinea, is currently in Montego Bay for sessions at the facility which opened in December, 2025. In October, A J Brown, lead singer for Third World and a son of the tourism mecca, will be there recording solo songs.

Samuels stressed that making music with international appeal is K-Chief Studios’ main objective.

“We want to take music produced right in Montego Bay and export it to global markets, as shown by our international collaborations on the ‘Memories’ rhythm,” he said.

Released in early 2026, the ‘Memories’ beat features songs by Brown and Anslom Nakikus, as well as Jamaican singers Clive Emmanuel, Ian Sweetness, Anthony Que, Donovan Banzana and Steve Santana.

It is the sole release to date by K-Chief Studios.

Anslom was recently appointed cultural ambassador by the Papua New Guinea government. Recently, he spoke about his trip to Montego Bay and the songs he will record at the new studio.

Stephen Cooper & Johnny Clarke (Photo contributed by Stephen Cooper)

“This is bigger than Anslom, this is about Papua New Guinea. When I walk into that studio in Jamaica, I will be carrying the flag of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Known in Montego Bay music circles as Mister Sam, Samuels has been a producer and engineer for over 30 years. He and colleagues decided to build a recording studio in Barnett Street, the city’s commercial district, which would give homegrown artistes and others from western Jamaica, the opportunity to record closer to home.

Other core members of the K-Chief Studios team are: Antonio Spence (producer and creative director); Christopher Stewart, creative director and arranger; and bassist Wayne Buckham.

Samuels disclosed that some of K-Chief Studios’ features include:

Acoustics and Sound Design: A sound-treated tracking room engineered for pristine acoustic sessions and live recording, alongside a dedicated isolation booth for vocal tracking.
Production and Engineering Setup: High-grade digital audio workstations (DAWs) coupled with analog preamps, outboard processing gear, and precision monitoring for recording, mixing, and mastering.
Collaboration Space: A dynamic physical environment built specifically to allow new and seasoned musicians to create, arrange, and collaborate under one roof.

A J Brown cut his teeth in some of Montego Bay’s leading resorts. Many of his early recordings, however, were done in the capital Kingston which has long been the hub of the reggae music industry.

Montego Bay has produced many noted acts/producers including The Blues Busters, Joe Gibbs, Winston “Niney” Holness, Lloyd “King Jammy” James, Benjy Myaz, Queen Ifrica and Tommy Lee Sparta.

(Photos contributed)