KGNU’s DJ Soul Rock welcomes internationally acclaimed reggae artist Spanner Banner for an in-studio conversation ahead of his Denver performance. Known for classics like Life Goes On, Michelle, and What We Need Is Love, Spanner Banner reflects on his 30-year musical journey, his creative process, and the deep family roots he shares with fellow reggae legends. He speaks about writing from real-life experience, transforming heartbreak into positivity, and the joy of performing with a well-rehearsed band that connects deeply with its audience. The interview also highlights the growing reggae community in Denver, including organizers DJ Reese and DJ Andy Flex, who discuss recent Caribbean fundraising efforts, the formation of Denver Conglomerate, and their mission to expand Caribbean cultural events in Colorado. Spanner Banner closes with heartfelt condolences to the family of Jamaican icon Jimmy Cliff, honoring his lasting legacy (November, 2025).
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Spanner Banner: This is the original representing for DJ and Soul Rock KGNU Radio. You gotta be bad. Gotta be bold. You gotta be wiser. DJ Soul Rock art and in play tough and in plays.
DJ Soul Rock: Life goes on.
Spanner Banner: KGNU Radio.
DJ Soul Rock: We have a Jamaican treasure live in the studio today. You might know him from songs like Life Goes On, Michelle, Chill, What We Need Is Love, and so many more. We have Spanner Banner in the studio live. Greetings.
Spanner Banner: Yemen. Blessed love to all listeners out there. Yemen, Spanner Banner here, live on the Rick. See it.
DJ Soul Rock: We are so glad to have you in the studio and here to talk about your show on Saturday, November 29th at the Celebrity Confetti Event Center. Denver Conglomerate presents Spanner Banner. Is this your first time performing here in Denver?
Spanner Banner: Well, I think I’ve been to Denver before, but that was a long time. I came through with my brother. Long time now, but I don’t even remember because sometimes when we’re doing tours and doing so many states, it’s like we come here tonight, perform, and then go to another state tomorrow. Sometimes we drive, it takes so long.
DJ Soul Rock: The home is the road sometimes.
Spanner Banner: Yes, man.
DJ Soul Rock: We are glad to have you back. We’ve got a stacked lineup as well — you’ll be performing with Harry Mo and the Crew Band, Fire Bling International, Youngblood Yard Fusion, and hosted by DJ Reese, who’s also in the studio today. Greetings. Thank you so much for being here. And the audience doesn’t know this, but you just flew in today a couple hours ago.
Spanner Banner: Yeah, I’m on.
DJ Soul Rock: We’re glad to have you. Thank you for coming straight over.
Spanner Banner: Yes. It’s a drive. We go through something like a turbo sometimes, but you don’t know — we give thanks we reach safe and we are here to present the music to the people.
DJ Soul Rock: I wanted to ask you as well: what inspires you and keeps you going? Your career is 30 years, so many hits, so much great music, and you’re a singer and a songwriter. What’s been inspiring you lately?
Spanner Banner: When you find real love, you just keep doing it. Life always keeps us inspired when we do things that we love. With a lot of vibes and energy, we just have to keep doing everything. If we don’t feel good, we’re not doing it. So we want to keep doing more.
DJ Soul Rock: You’re like a vessel for the music, definitely. And it has to come out.
Spanner Banner: Yes. It has to be shared.
DJ Soul Rock: As someone who has a brother as well — your family has so much history in music, all out there sharing the music. Me and my brother sometimes get a little competitive. Friendly competition. How does that show up for you and your brothers?
Spanner Banner: We strive to do the music as best as possible. But we don’t really compete like that. We just do our thing, and when we can support each other, we do it. We used to write songs together more in the earlier days. Now occasionally we do it; recently me and Richie recorded a song. Bad song will soon come out. It’s not a competition with us. We love the vibes. We grew up with the music. It’s just your life.
DJ Soul Rock: I love to hear that. You can work together and be happy for each other. A beautiful thing. Each of you has such a unique sound. Thank you for answering that.
That takes me to my next point — I saw a video of you this summer in the studio. What’s in the works for Spanner Banner?
Spanner Banner: We have some things in the pipeline. I won’t give out too much yet, but it’s been a long time since I put an album out. So that’s all I can say right now. We’re doing the work.
DJ Soul Rock: Respect. We’ll be eagerly waiting and excited.
Spanner Banner: People been asking me, so the music a call me. Writing more, so I must do the work.
DJ Soul Rock: Folks might have to show up on Saturday and see if maybe we get a new song.
Spanner Banner: Well, who knows? Yeah, man.
DJ Soul Rock: What does the creative process look like? Do you write songs ahead, or go into the studio and let it flow?
Spanner Banner: Sometimes we write songs out because all the music — sometimes you get a vision, a melody comes to you. You have to record it right away. If you don’t record the melody or write the lyrics, you forget the whole thing. So sometimes we write the lyrics, record it like a demo, put it down. Other times you go in the studio with a melody from long time you never finished writing. When you hear the rhythm track, the vibes come more and you finish the song on the spot. That happened the other day — we heard a rhythm, something came back, everybody came together, put the lyrics together, and we got a nice song.
DJ Soul Rock: Nice.
Spanner Banner: More I want to present to the world, but everything takes time.
DJ Soul Rock: Everything in time. As a songwriter and performer — not every performer is a songwriter and not every songwriter is a performer. Do you enjoy both aspects? What brings you the most joy?
Spanner Banner: I love both of them. I love writing, I love singing. I love recording and performing. Especially when you’re working with a band that rehearses properly and they play the music right — trust me, that’s a joy. The feeling you’re feeling when you’re performing, the people feel it too. You and the music become one, and everybody starts feeling the same vibes.
DJ Soul Rock: Amazing to watch the crowd come alive. We can feel your heart in the music and I hope you feel the crowd’s heart.
Spanner Banner: Most definitely.
DJ Soul Rock: Before you came in, I went through your discography and wrote down a lot of the labels you’ve released music on — Techniques, Digital B, Jammys, Music Works, Xterminator, Junior Reid, RAS, Tuff Gong, Island — I was running out of room. What are some of your favorite people to work with?
Spanner Banner: It’s a good thing you mention that. A lot of the producers have their own thing. I learn a lot from them. Working with Bobby Digital — different vibes, he’ll show you some things about recording that make it easier when you’re doing the next one. Working with Sly and Robbie — they drill you like a coach. It brings out more. Every one of them gives a different vibe and experience.
DJ Soul Rock: And do you take a little of that with you to the next song?
Spanner Banner: Absolutely. Next time doing a song, things you had a problem with before, you overcome. A lot of these producers coach you — studio university.
DJ Soul Rock: Something I love about your catalog is that it spans love, roots and culture, spiritual themes, life, hardships. Do you have a favorite to write about, or is it what you’re experiencing?
Spanner Banner: It depends. I write love songs, heartbroken songs. One time I was mad broken and wrote a song saying the girl did a terrible thing. Afterward I rewrote the song and turned it around — instead of something negative, I turned it into something positive. Art can pick you up. You use it for something positive.
DJ Soul Rock: Your art has a positive influence around the world. You’ve traveled the world. Favorite places to play?
Spanner Banner: I love Uganda. I love performing in Japan. I like California — they love reggae. But the most memorable performance I remember is Uganda.
DJ Soul Rock: That’s how I got exposed to reggae — growing up in San Diego, the World Beat Center hosting amazing reggae weekly. Colorado is another home for reggae, but I gotta give California credit.
Spanner Banner: Beautiful place.
DJ Soul Rock: So this Saturday, what can we expect?
Spanner Banner: I want people to come out, and we will make sure we do our best. Put out our best. We miss the people, and come back to a family. It is the Thanksgiving season, so we have our celebration.
DJ Soul Rock: It feels like a celebration. In a moment we’ll hear from DJ Reese as well. We have a stacked lineup: Spanner Banner, Harry Mo and the Crew Band, Fire Bling International, Youngblood Yard Fusion. Where can we get more information about the show?
DJ Reese: There’s quite a few places. On Instagram: Denver Conglomerates, Denver Party Central, Spanner’s page, Yard Fusion’s page. Also TikTok: Denver Party Central. Also on Facebook. That’s where most Caribbean-related events in Denver can be found.
DJ Soul Rock: Spanner Banner, where can folks stay in touch with you?
Spanner Banner: Check me on my social media platform — Spanner Banner Music on Instagram and Facebook. You can also email [email protected]. If you want while I’m in Denver, link up Denver Conglomerates and DJ Andy Flex.
DJ Soul Rock: I enjoyed our conversation beforehand about the fundraiser and the drives happening. You’ve been a big part of that. Could you share an update from Colorado Caribbean Social Club and what’s needed?
DJ Reese: That all started about two weeks ago. Tamara from Reggae Pot and Briani got a call from a media outlet about what the Jamaican community is doing. Immediately the group became about seven, we formed a WhatsApp group. By the next Saturday we had an event planned — the fundraising brunch for Jamaica. It was well supported. Restaurants teamed up and donated food. Flex provided the music. The event raised about $4,000. Caribbean Social Club also had a collection drive the following week. Stuff is still coming in. We’re grateful, but we’re looking at the long game — the rebuilding will be long term. We’re getting some stuff shipped off now and will regroup next year.
DJ Soul Rock: Thank you so much for sharing. At KGNU and Reggae Bloodlines, we’ll keep updated. Thank you for all the hard work.
DJ Reese: All that happened while Denver Conglomerates was being formed. Yard Fusion has been here promoting the music. Andy Flex has been here long, promoting, bringing artists. A group of music lovers coming together to grow the Caribbean culture in Denver. Spanner is the first person we reached out to. Next year, bigger and greater things. We want people to support reggae events and Caribbean parties so we can keep the culture growing. If we don’t get the support, promoters will stop and people will complain there’s nothing happening. When you hear Denver Conglomerate, expect a great party and a great show. That’s what’s gonna happen Saturday night.
DJ Soul Rock: That’s right. Saturday, November 29th at Celebrity Confetti Event Center: Spanner Banner, Harry Mo and the Crew Band, Fire Bling International, Young Blood Yard Fusion Sounds, hosted by DJ Reese. Thank you all so much. This is just the beginning.
Spanner Banner: Yeah, man. I want to say condolences to the family of the great Jimmy Cliff. Jamaica has lost another great legend. As we say, life goes on. He put in great work, broke a lot of ground, opened doors for people, for the culture, and for upcoming artists. Those legends kicked down doors for others to get easy access. Rest well, Father Jimmy.
DJ Soul Rock: Thank you so much. Such a trailblazer — going around the world with reggae before there was a path.
Spanner Banner: Yes, man.
DJ Soul Rock: Thank you for joining us in studio, Spanner Banner. I’m looking forward to Saturday — it’s gonna be an awesome experience. This is DJ Soul Rock and you’re tuned into KGNU-FM.
