Johnny Dread

Roots reggae, Afro-Caribbean soul and Latin influences come together in a free performance by Johnny Dread on ZeyZey Miami’s Zaku Stage. The show takes place Thursday, August 13, at the open-air venue in Little Haiti. His music reflects a career shaped by Miami’s Caribbean communities, Rastafari culture and longstanding ties to Jamaica.

Born Juan Carlos Guardiola to Cuban parents and raised in Miami, Johnny Dread first gained recognition as a co-founder of the reggae group COPACETIC, whose album Ghetto Rock reached No. 7 on Billboard’s reggae chart. His solo catalog includes Scarecrow, the Seven Revelations series and Full Circle, blending roots-reggae traditions with personal reflections on identity and cultural heritage.

Now based in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, the singer-songwriter has shared stages with Lauryn Hill, Steel Pulse and members of the Marley family. His recent work includes “Mi Isla Cuba,” a musical and visual tribute to his family’s homeland.