Yaadcore is a Jamaican reggae artist, producer, and selector known for his conscious lyrics and deep spiritual message. Rising from Jamaica’s vibrant reggae scene, he first gained recognition as Protoje’s tour DJ before establishing himself as a solo artist. Blending roots reggae with modern sounds, his music explores themes of faith, self-awareness, freedom, and social consciousness.
Through his authentic style and unwavering commitment to truth, Yaadcore has become one of the leading voices of the new generation of reggae artists.
Full name: Rory Cha
Place of birth: Mandeville, Jamaica
In a world where everyone is trying to be heard, you seem to be more concerned with having something authentic to say. How do you learn to tell the difference between the voice of the ego and the voice of the soul?
The sound of conviction speaks to the soul and only time would tell if it was coming from an egotistical place from whom it was said.
You’ve chosen to make music that speaks about consciousness and truth in an industry that often rewards superficiality. Have you ever been tempted to sacrifice your message for success?
No, never been tempted, I only do what resonates with my soul.
What does it mean to you to be a truly free human being? And which chain is the hardest to break: the one society places on us, or the one we place on ourselves?
For me, being truly free means being able to connect directly with God without relying on any book or any other human being, and being able to make certain personal decisions without the system imposing its laws on me.
Both are challenging. There has to be a balance of understanding and purpose in order to break both chains, and one chain not become heavier when one is broken.
You’ve often spoken about light. But what has darkness taught you? Is there a chapter of your life that was painful at the time, yet today you look back on it with gratitude?
I try not to look back as much and live more in the now, but every obstacle in life either makes you or breaks you. If you are connected, you will see the good in the bad experiences.
Many people spend their lives chasing happiness as if it were a destination. Where have you discovered that true inner peace actually lives?
True inner peace lives in the mind. The only place we are meant to have full control over.
Is there a lesson you learned later in life that you wish the younger generation could learn much earlier?
When you are presented with certain opportunities as a child that you may not want to experience, you should, because maybe they can help you later in life in a way that you could not have predicted at the time.
Today, many young people measure their worth by the validation they receive from others. Where did you learn to find your own sense of worth and self-confidence?
I learned that from God and from growing up with a lot of cousins that taught me that you can’t always make everyone happy, and not everyone will always be on your side. So you really have to know, from within, what you are about.
If you could plant just one idea in the mind of every young person who listens to your music—one idea that would stay with them for the rest of their life—what would it be?
There is a God. We are spiritual beings with souls that vibrate with a frequency and, like a magnet, will be attracted to our rightful place in the universe.
One hundred years from now, when someone listens to your music without knowing who you were, what message would you hope remains in their heart?
Finding themselves and God.
If one day, while walking down the street, you looked into the crowd and saw God standing there… what would you say to Him? What would you do?
Too many questions to type! But I would give him thanks for the experience of life and the creations.
