Damian Marley carries on the legacy of his late father, Bob Marley, and is widely considered one of the premier reggae artists today. His songs focus on themes of love and unity.
Toots and the Maytals’ slow tempo made dancing to their music easier, while emphasizing its bass line. Furthermore, Toots became a devout Rastafarian; his music is instilled with this belief system.
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Rainford Hugh Perry OD was an innovative music producer, composer and singer from Jamaica who pioneered dub music during the 1970s. Credited with pioneering dub music through studio effects remixing recordings to produce instrumental and vocal versions, he produced many reggae artists like Bob Marley & the Wailers; Junior Murvin; Congos as well as his own albums which became influential throughout reggae music & beyond.
Perry moved from his rural village of Kendal in western Jamaican parish of Kendal in 1961 in response to a divine voice, seeking a career in music. Working his way up from gofer, then janitor in several recording studios before eventually becoming Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s assistant at Studio One; during this period Perry developed his house band, The Upsetters, used by reggae artists while recording dub versions of popular songs.
He eventually established his own studio, The Black Ark, where he experimented with what became known as “dub” music. By manipulating popular reggae tracks by altering or removing vocals and bass and drum tracks to add effects such as delay-effects he created an artform known as dub music which took on its own identity and subculture.
Perry has long explored the possibilities of electronica and dance music, collaborating with Dubblestandart, Andrew W.K and the Orb. His recent release King Perry proves he still possesses his magic touch; its contemporary production and guest vocalists such as Daniel Boyle or Bristol maverick Tricky make it difficult to differentiate from reggae music.
Bunny Lee
Edward O’Sullivan Lee, commonly referred to by his moniker Bunny or Striker, was one of Jamaica’s most influential record producers and a key force in broadening reggae’s audience worldwide. Starting off as an “record plugger” (one who promotes songs on radio stations) for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label before transitioning to full producer himself.
Lee first gained recognition by working alongside such artists as John Holt, Slim Smith, Delroy Wilson and Horace Andy before branching off solo. His early recordings featured organ shuffle, which was an innovative sound within Jamaican music at that time.
By the mid ’70s, Lee had developed his distinctive flying cymbal sound and produced numerous hits for Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell and Linval Thompson – as well as helping expand reggae’s audience by licensing his productions to Trojan Records which promoted reggae music across Britain.
As a producer, Lee was not only known as an award-winning hitmaker but also as an innovator who often experimented with mixing or rhythm. Additionally, his generosity extended beyond giving away contacts or sessions; often sharing them freely to those searching for that all-important breakthrough moment.
In 2008, the Jamaican government honored him with an Order of Distinction for his contributions to the industry. An authorised biography about him by Noel Hawkes and Jah Floyd entitled Reggae Going International 1967-1976: The Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee Story (2012) as well as Diggory Kenrick’s documentary film I Am the Gorgon reveal an undeniably tough and no-nonsense person with an undying passion for music – as evidenced in Noel Hawkes & Jah Floyd’s biography (2012) as well as Kenrick’s documentary I Am The Gorgon (2014) show. His dedication towards supporting Jamaican arts & culture made him especially proud of his roots – something his second wife Annette Wong-Lee also survives him along with many children including Shepdog who is one of Jamaica’s acclaimed dancehall artists!
Bob Marley
Bob Marley is one of the most influential musicians ever, having introduced reggae music to an international audience. Widely considered the father of reggae music, his musical legacy continues to inspire listeners worldwide and serve as an instrument for peace and unity. Known for his spiritual beliefs and dedication to humanity alike, his music serves as a testament to Bob’s dedication towards world peace and unification.
Robert Nesta Marley was one of the many young people responsible for sparking a global revolution in consciousness. A singer, songwriter, and activist who collaborated with various musical groups before founding The Wailing Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in 1963 – selling millions of records along the way, becoming a pioneer of reggae music along the way.
Marley’s songs were powerful public declarations of his personal truths, moving audiences with their unique blend of rhythm and blues, rock, and reggae forms that was electrifying in its narrative power. Marley was revered by people from all backgrounds – his music had the ability to bring people together through song.
In the 1970s, he rose to become one of the leading artists of reggae music and helped it to become truly international. His reedy tenor voiced pain and triumph while his songs became calls to liberation that resonated worldwide. While active politically, he never preached hatred toward white people or advocated racism against any group; his belief was that peaceful human cohabitation requires unification. Besides songwriting and musical talent, he advocated civil rights while making significant contributions towards anti-racism initiatives worldwide.
Burning Spear
Burning Spear, as a musician, is widely respected. His music incorporates political viewpoints, roots and culture elements, spirituality and the concept of oneness to create an unforgettable sound which lulls listeners into an altered state of consciousness. Many times his lyrics address oppression of blacks by discussing their origins and causes for their problems.
Winston Rodney, better known by his stage name Burning Spear, was born in Saint Ann Jamaica in 1945 and quickly became a great admirer of Bob Marley. After meeting Marley by chance on a street corner in 1969 and being inspired to follow in his footsteps musically by him and others who came after him, Rodney recorded “Door Peep.” They took inspiration for their name from Jomo Kenyatta who was imprisoned under British colonial government Africa but later went on to become first President of Kenyan.
As soon as it was released in the early 70s, it was an instant hit in Jamaica and soon afterwards signed to Island Records by which time they had produced multiple albums with conscious music that explored themes of love, justice and self-reliance.
By the mid 1970s, Burning Spear had established himself as one of the premier figures in hip hop music with four groundbreaking albums: Marcus Garvey, Man in the Hills, Dry and Heavy and Social Living. His music doesn’t just provide an incitement against Babylon; rather it motivates black pride and self-celebration through musical expression. His latest effort OUR MUSIC represents both his reclamation of artistry as well as an incentive for other musicians to seize control of their futures.
Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs was one of the most iconic reggae singers ever. Often considered the father of lovers rock – an upbeat musical genre which blends romantic lyrics with political messages – Gregory struggled with personal issues throughout his career but left an everlasting legacy when he passed away in 2010.
Isaacs began his musical career in the late ’60s by founding The Concords while still attending Jamaica’s University of Technology. Soon thereafter he joined Third World as one of its key members; their albums would later serve as inspiration to many future artists.
In 1978, he signed to Virgin’s Frontline label and made an appearance in the classic film Rockers. His first Frontline album Cool Ruler featured Roots Radics; soon thereafter came Soon Forward but neither made much of an impression outside Jamaica.
Isaacs returned his Mango contract in the early ’80s by producing two more classic albums: Night Nurse and Out Deh. Isaacs then signed with U.K. label African Museum before signing a deal with Sly & Robbie’s Taxi label; their collaboration on albums such as 1980’s Showcase produced hits including its title track. Taxi continued into the 1990s before Isaacs found himself working alongside English trip-hop band Massive Attack as they attempted to bridge reggae’s conscious roots with dancehall’s hard edged digital rhythms – recording two live albums: 1983’s Live at Reggae Sunsplash and 1984’s Live at Academy Brixton respectively.