Few musicians are as inseparable from reggae’s foundations as Leroy Sibbles. As a pioneering bassist and arranger at Studio One and the legendary lead vocalist of The Heptones, he helped create the rhythms, basslines and vocal sound that continue to reverberate through contemporary music.

In “The Blueprint of Reggae,” Cara Eyre speaks with Sibbles about six decades of innovation, from late-night rehearsals in Trench Town and groundbreaking recording sessions with Clement “Coxsone” Dodd to hearing new generations sample and reinterpret the music he helped build.

The conversation also traces the personal journey that brought Sibbles to Canada in the 1970s, where he helped cultivate Toronto’s reggae scene and established a lasting connection to his adopted second home. Looking back, he measures his legacy through the musicians he inspired, the careers he strengthened and the joy his work continues to create.

At the heart of it all is a message of unity. Sibbles’ music has crossed oceans, bridged generations and brought millions together—and after six decades, his invitation remains beautifully simple: “We all sing together.”

Read “The Blueprint of Reggae” in full at Afros in tha City or in our print publication.