Heidi Skrzypek might have been Jamaican in a past life. With a deep appreciation for dancehall, roots reggae and ska, she goes crazy (on and off the dancefloor) for big bass, tribal percussion, reimagined musical samples and a strong patois.

Her show Borderlines is named for the crossroads of musical boundaries. With roots planted firmly in Jamaican reggae, expect roots reggae – the stuff that made Jamaica internationally famous (Bob Marley, Clinton Fearon); dancehall reggae – played in clubs or at street parties with more digitizing, bigger bass and often scandalous lyrics (Ninja Man, Damian Marley, Assassin, Patra); hip hop old and new (KRS-One to NAS); jungle music from the UK (Congo Natty) and recent electronic dance music-reggae hybrids (Diplo/Major Lazer). You’ll also explore reggae’s storied layers: mento, ska (60s and two-tone), and spicy Latin reggaeton.

While attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Heidi hosted her radio show The Ladies of Dancehall heard across the Hawaiian Islands (KTUH 90.3 FM). She unearthed up-tempo dancehall gems recorded in Jamaica and points beyond. After graduation she continued subbing shows in reggae, ska, and psychobilly-surf formats. Twenty-plus years later, she brings her ever-evolving playlists to VOV.

A Vashon Island resident since 2004, Heidi writes copy for a living from her home office. Outside, you’ll likely find Heidi in a neoprene wetsuit, untangling sea grass from her hair. She swims at Dilworth, Burton, Alki and in organized races, crossing Dalco Passage and escaping Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.

• Borderlines – Episode 249

  - Submitted by DJ Heidi