The Crew

Bobby Shakes

Bobby Shakes (Orett Robinson) has been photographing reggae and dancehall since 1996, and put BobbyShakes.com online in 1998 — one of the first reggae sites on the internet. Photographer, broadcaster and host of #SHAKESCITYUNCUT, he shoots, writes and curates the site from Boston.

Anil Batra

Anil Batra is a photographer and cultural documentarian whose work has chronicled the global reggae community for nearly three decades. Since the late 1990s, Anil has attended stage shows and cultural events to capture the artists, performers, and fans who define reggae music and its surrounding culture, building an archive that spans generations of the genre’s evolution.

A pioneer of reggae’s presence on the early internet, Anil was among the first to launch a dedicated online platform for the genre as the original creator of BostonReggae.com. At a time when digital coverage of niche music scenes was scarce, the site became an early hub for fans and artists to connect with reggae culture as it was happening on the ground in Boston and beyond, positioning Anil as a trusted voice within the community long before social media reshaped how music culture was documented and shared. (The BostonReggae.com domain has since changed hands and is no longer Anil’s.)

Anil’s photographic work has taken him well beyond New England. He has traveled internationally to cover reggae in the Caribbean, its region of origin, as well as across Europe and in India, documenting how the genre has been embraced and reinterpreted by audiences and artists around the world. This global body of work reflects both Anil’s commitment to reggae as a cultural movement and his eye for the details that connect scenes across continents — the energy of a live performance, the relationship between artist and audience, and the community that forms around the music.

Central to Anil’s story is his friendship with Bobby Shakes, a respected figure in the Boston reggae scene. Formed during Anil’s early years photographing local shows, the friendship has endured for nearly three decades, reflecting the deep, lasting relationships that Anil has built within the community he documents. That connection speaks to an approach rooted not just in capturing images, but in genuine, sustained engagement with the people and culture behind them.

Today, Anil continues to be recognized as one of reggae photography’s most dedicated chroniclers, with a body of work that bridges the genre’s grassroots roots and its international reach. His archive stands as a visual record of reggae culture’s growth from a regional passion into a global phenomenon, and his early digital efforts helped lay the groundwork for how that culture would come to be shared and celebrated online.

You’ll also catch him live on #SHAKESCITYUNCUT, Mondays at 9PM ET.

Julez

Julez covers the big stadium nights for bobbyshakes.com — Bruno Mars and Chris Brown at Gillette Stadium — and shared the pit for the Roots & Rhymes Tour at Leader Bank Pavilion.

Dr. TKO

Ted “Dr. TKO” Panagiotis is a Rhode Island-based event promoter, marketer, former boxing journalist and matchmaker, and entrepreneur whose passions for Jamaican culture, professional boxing, and entertainment have shaped more than three decades of his life.

Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Ted is the son of Jane and Peter “Pan” Panagiotis, a Hall of Fame surfer and longtime owner of The Watershed Surf Shop. More than simply a surf shop, The Watershed became a gathering place for an eclectic mix of musicians, artists, surfers, and creatives, and at one point employed renowned artist and designer Shepard Fairey, who would later achieve international recognition as the founder of OBEY and creator of the iconic Barack Obama “HOPE” poster.

It was through this environment that Ted was exposed to reggae at an early age. A particularly important influence was Montego Bay native Wilson Blue, whose reggae band was sponsored by The Watershed. The countless hours Wilson spent at the shop introduced Ted to Jamaican music, culture, and traditions and helped spark a lifelong connection to reggae and dancehall.

Ted’s other early passion was professional boxing. At just 13 years old, he began providing boxing commentary during his father’s Sports & Surf Report on Brown University’s 95.5 WBRU, where he earned the nickname “Dr. TKO.” He later wrote for The Nicepaper, The Pawtucket Times, and Flash/Pro Boxing Update.

While still in high school, Ted joined legendary Rhode Island promoter Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. During more than 15 years with the organization, he progressed from publicity to professional matchmaking. In 2003, he was named North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Matchmaker of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. He remains involved in boxing today as a part-time cutman and advisor.

After graduating from Northeastern University in 2001, Ted expanded into entrepreneurship, opening Gansett Juice in Narragansett following the closing of his family’s Watershed Surf Shop. He later pursued another dream by opening Half Way Tree, an authentic Jamaican restaurant in Providence. Despite challenges involving redevelopment, relocation, and liquor licensing, the venture further strengthened his connection to Rhode Island’s Caribbean community.

In 2007, Ted founded Dr. TKO Entertainment, first presenting shows with former pro skateboarder and selector Eric “Red Beard” Pupecki, then alongside selector Paul Michael. Since then, the company has presented internationally recognized reggae and dancehall artists, DJs, and sound systems including Beres Hammond, Shaggy, Ky-Mani Marley, Chronixx, Mr. Vegas, Walshy Fire, Richie Feelings, Coppershot, Chromatic, and many others.

At the center of Dr. TKO Entertainment is Island Saturdays™, launched in 2013 and now recognized as New England’s longest-running weekly Caribbean party. Over the years, Dr. TKO Entertainment has established successful residencies at Providence venues including Club X, Karma, Sidebar, Black Repertory Company, Fête Music Hall, and its current home, Alchemy.

Whether through boxing, entrepreneurship, marketing, or Caribbean entertainment, Ted has built his career around the things he genuinely loves. His commitment to authenticity, professionalism, and Jamaican culture continues to drive Dr. TKO Entertainment and Island Saturdays more than two decades after his journey in entertainment began.

Catch him live on #SHAKESCITYUNCUT, Mondays at 9PM ET.