Roadblock Radio’s Island Mix expands Caribbean music’s reach across US radio

Sixteen months after it debuted in the tri-state area, The Roadblock Radio Island Mix, a weekly show highlighting Caribbean music, has made its mark. The show first aired on WXKB THE Block 94.7 FM in New York City in June 2025. It debuted last June on WPOW Power 96.5 in Miami/South Florida. Those are the largest markets for dancehall-reggae and soca in the United States. The Island Mix also airs 7:00 pm to midnight on WCBS 101.1 FM-HD3 in New York/New Jersey; WZMX 93.7 FM-HD3 in Hartford, Connecticut; WMXJ 102.7 FM-HD3 in Miami and South Florida; and WLZL 107.9 FM-HD2 in  Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Island Mix was created by Roadblock Radio, a station owned by Jamaican Kacy Rankine. Listeners can hear reggae, dancehall, soca, konpa and Afrobeats as well as classic Caribbean music. The latter struggled to get mainstream airplay in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. Miguel “Mijo” Irizarry, brand manager and PM Drive host at Power 96 in Miami, says Caribbean music fits his station’s format. “Our throwback shift highlights the ’90s and 2000s tracks that defined South Florida,” he explained. “Classic dancehall, reggae and soca were a part of that era. The Roadblock Island Mix brings those authentic roots back to our dial, making Sunday nights a natural extension of our throwback sound.” That statement has been endorsed by Shaggy, who emerged as a pop/dancehall force during that period. The Grammy winner was a guest recently on the Island Mix show hosted by DJ Mr Famous’ Island Mix show on Power 96.5 FM. “When I started, there was no radio station that played dancehall or reggae,” he noted. “I realised that I was in the underground, so I had to work 10 times harder with 10 times less budget, 10 times less sleep, and make my records 10 times better. That’s just to have a level playing field.” Irizarry believes the partnership with Roadblock Radio CEO Kacy Rankine allows Power 96 to strengthen ties with South Florida’s large Caribbean population. “Partnering with Kacy Rankine brings authentic island culture to Power 96, bridging mainstream radio with deep community roots,” he said. “Our focus is on habit building at the moment. Our goal is for The Island Mix to drive appointment listening.”