Jhaedee “Jaii Frais” Richards has become a standout voice in Jamaica’s new media landscape, known for his raw, relevant, and often revolutionary take on entertainment and culture. As the creator and host of Let’s Be Honest and Toxic Talk—two of Jamaica’s leading long form YouTube podcasts with more than 30 million views—he’s carved out a space where humor, controversy, and cultural critique collide. His interviews spark both praise and pushback, but one thing’s certain: people are paying attention.
In an exclusive interview with World Music Views, Jai Frais traces his journey from the classrooms of Kingston College to the heights of national influence.
“It really start from home,” he says. “Six West to be exact, then Kingston College—just boys being boys, reasoning about music. But I took it further. I put research behind it. From Kanye to 50 Cent, from Graduation to Curtis—I studied it all. My big brother was a DJ in the U.S., always playing rap and keeping me tapped into what was going on abroad. That was the foundation.”
Frais has interviewed a wide range of guests, from dancehall stars to viral personalities. His signature style? Letting others take the spotlight, “like Scottie Pippen,” he admits. Giving them the alley-oop, to dunk with the wild, newsworthy answers like Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls games in 1992.
That approach comes from a lesson learned at home. “My mother always said ‘listen’ and ‘silent’ have the same letters for a reason. Sometimes you just shut up and let people talk—no judgment. Make them comfortable enough to be themselves.”
He confidently admits there’s real money in podcasting now, but the value goes beyond views. Memorable interviews include rising star Valiant, who shifted his thinking on key topics, and TC from the Rebel/Prettii Prettii trio, whose insights hit unexpectedly deep.
“She made me rethink a lot of things—and that’s not easy to do.” In that interview two years ago TC stated “woman nuh fi mine man, but if you a give me, me a give you back.” Meaning, she is reciprocal in relationships although the does believe a women should bear the financial burden of the relationship.
But success hasn’t come without friction. Jaii Frais, 29, is candid about the tension between local creatives and the Jamaican entertainment industry.
“Too often, artists give foreign media more respect than local platforms. The same artist who will chat with someone just because they have an accent won’t give a Jamaican podcast five minutes,” he says. “You support them on the come-up, then they act brand new. Some of them will never come on my show—and that’s fine. I still speak for the culture.”
Despite his growing impact, recognition in traditional circles has been harder to come by. He was recently nominated for the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards but was one of two nominees who walked away empty-handed.
“That felt like a cheat,” he admits. “When it comes to new media, I am the definition. They call me the ‘toxic king’—fine, I’ll own it. But I’ve been successful in comedy, interviews, media. I’ve built this from the ground up with my own people and my own resources. If we’re talking new media, I represent all of it.”
He dreams of interviewing Damian Marley and still holds out hope for a conversation with Vybz Kartel—though with a twist.
“I used to really want a Kartel interview—and I still do. But at this point, he’s said everything already. It’d have to be a Toxic Talk kind of convo—something different.”
As for a live podcast? Don’t expect it.
“I’m shy,” he laughs. Ruling out a gig at the National Arena akin to Joe Budden of Brilliant Idiots Podcasts. “I like small spaces, intimate vibes. That’s when people open up.”
Still, the future is looking big.
“We about to level up and make it more fun—go behind the music, behind the masks. I assert my position in this space. Other people get disrespected and that don’t sit right with me. I demand the respect we deserve. This is an ecosystem—and I’m proving you can build a real career here. This is the main job.”
