DUB POETRY MEETS GRATITUDE IN SHELDON SHEPHERD’S GIVE THANKS
A playful meditation on the word Thanksgiving is at the heart of Sheldon Shepherd’s evocative single Give Thanks. Released via NoMaddic Movement and distributed by Tuff Gong International, the track arrives ahead of Thanksgiving Day in the US, available on all streaming platforms.
Shepherd, known for roles in Idris Elba’s Yardie and the acclaimed Better Mus Come, extends his artistry beyond acting. He leads The No-Maddz, a Jamaican collective blending roots reggae and dub poetry, and authored In the Morning Yah, a collaboration of fifty-two pieces with his father, Keith Shepherd.
“There is no Thanksgiving in Jamaica. Split the word, switch them around, take off the I-N-G… Give Thanks! Bon appétit…” the artist reflects. He frames ordinary moments with poetic clarity, revealing a raggamuffin yet refined side of Jamaican culture.
GIVE THANKS CELEBRATES A RAGGAMUFFIN ELEGANCE THAT’S DISTINCTLY JAMAICAN
Produced by the UK’s Toddla T, The1Devotion and Okiel McIntyre, the single pairs Shepherd’s rhythmic narration with rich reggae and dub textures. Symphonic layers enhance the track, linking traditional dub roots to contemporary relevance.
“This music video was made on an energy of resounding vibrations,” Shepherd explains, “The community came out and supported me tremendously.”
Give Thanks celebrates a raggamuffin elegance that’s distinctly Jamaican. Through his passionate commitment to dub poetry, Shepherd proves the genre’s enduring relevance, establishing him as a contemporary ambassador of Jamaican artistic expression.
ABOUT SHELDON SHEPHERD
Sheldon Shepherd first drew attention as a founding member of The No-Maddz, transforming Kingston stages with live performances that blended dub poetry, reggae and theatre.
From Puma campaigns with Usain Bolt to festival appearances at Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest, his work travels beyond music. Across acting, writing and performance, Shepherd shapes moments that capture Jamaican tradition and resonate with audiences worldwide.
