Rupert Harvey of Messenjah: Canadian Reggae, “No More” & Stories from the Road

Join Backstage Lowdown for a conversation with Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey of Messenjah, exploring the band’s roots in Kitchener, Ontario, their remarkable journey through Canadian reggae history, and the music that continues to bring a message of love and peace. After his time with Crack of Dawn, Rupert helped establish Messenjah in Kitchener, where an early breakthrough performing for university audiences helped the band build a dedicated following. From there, Messenjah went on to achieve major career milestones, earning a Juno Award and other honours, recording in California, signing with Warner Brothers, and taking their music to international audiences. In this interview, Rupert reflects on some incredible moments, including performing at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, appearing in the film Cocktail, and playing for Nelson Mandela at the launch of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at the SkyDome. We also discuss Messenjah’s latest release, “No More,” a song that speaks to the need for love and peace in a troubled world. Rupert shares his thoughts on the band’s organic approach to songwriting, why music shouldn’t be created simply to satisfy streaming algorithms or short attention spans, and how reggae continues to influence music around the world. IN THIS EPISODE: Messenjah’s beginnings in Kitchener, Ontario Rupert Harvey’s journey from Crack of Dawn to Messenjah The early Waterloo Inn show that helped build the band’s following The story and message behind “No More” Messenjah’s Juno Award and recording in California Signing with Warner Brothers Performing at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica Messenjah’s appearance in Cocktail Rupert’s unforgettable experience performing for Nelson Mandela Staying independent and keeping songwriting authentic Plans for outdoor festivals in 2027 and a possible return to Southwestern Ontario If you love Canadian music history, reggae, and the stories behind the artists who helped shape the scene, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 👍 LIKE this video if you enjoyed the conversation. 💬 COMMENT below: What’s your favourite Messenjah song or memory? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Backstage Lowdown for more conversations with the musicians, artists, and personalities behind the music. 🎧 Listen to Backstage Lowdown on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favourite podcast platform. 📺 Watch more episodes on YouTube. Backstage Lowdown, where the real stories live. #Messenjah #RupertHarvey #CanadianMusic #Reggae #BackstageLowdown