A riddim (short for “rhythm”) is the instrumental backing track in reggae, dancehall, and other Jamaican music. Think of it as the beat or groove—usually built from a drum and bassline—that multiple artists can voice over with their own lyrics and melodies. This is one of the most unique things about reggae: one riddim, many […]

Buju Banton, born Mark Myrie on July 15, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a legendary reggae and dancehall artist known for his powerful voice and influential music. Raised in the impoverished neighborhood of Salt Lane as the youngest of 15 children, Buju grew up in a hardworking family with deep roots connected to the Maroons,

While reggae has often been dominated by male figures, many female artists have played a crucial role in shaping the genre. From the soulful voices of the past to modern-day queens of reggae, here’s a list of influential female Jamaican reggae artists you should know. Marcia Griffiths Known as the “Queen of Reggae,” Marcia Griffiths

Johnny Osbourne, born Errol Osbourne in 1948, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall legend whose career spans decades. Known for his powerful voice and timeless hits, he started singing in church and later studied music at the renowned Alpha School for Boys in Kingston. Interviewed by Reggae Vibes, he said: “I was learning trumpet in

Written by Enki’s Music Records – all rights reserved – kindly mention us as the source if you want to use parts of this article. If you’ve ever collected Jamaican reggae vinyl, you’ve likely noticed a quirky charm: misspellings and typos on labels or covers. Names of artists, songs, and even entire record labels are

Junior Murvin was a reggae icon known for his unique falsetto and meaningful lyrics. He was born Murvin Junior Smith in Port Antonio, Jamaica, in either 1946 or 1949 (his birth year is debated). Junior Murvin was raised by his great-grandmother after losing his father at a young age, while his mother emigrated. As a

Horace Andy, born Horace Hinds on February 19, 1951, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a legendary roots reggae singer known for his soulful falsetto voice and timeless tracks like “Skylarking,” “Mr. Bassie,” “You Are My Angel,” and his rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Emerging in the late 1960s with early recordings at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One,

Ewart Beckford, better known as U-Roy, was a towering figure in Jamaican music whose innovations left an indelible mark on reggae, dub, and dancehall. He was born in Jones Town, Kingston, in 1942. His journey into music began at 19 when he joined Dickie Wong’s Doctor Dickies sound system. Known as “The Originator,” U-Roy was

If you’re new to collecting vinyl and want to dive into reggae, you’re in for a treat. Reggae is a genre rich in culture, rhythm, and soul, and experiencing it on vinyl is one of the most authentic ways to appreciate its essence. Here’s a guide to help you start your reggae vinyl collection and

Despite not enjoying live performances with sound systems, Triston Palmer became a leading voice in 1980s dancehall. “I was mostly a recording artist, rarely performing live with certain sounds,” he recalled. His hit “Entertainment,” produced by Jah Thomas, became an iconic anthem for dancehall, addressing issues like violence and disunity in dance spaces with lyrics

In the 1970s and 1980s, two dominant styles emerged in dancehall music, each embodying a distinct outlook: “Culture” and “Slackness”. Slackness was known for its edgy lyrics, often explicit or dealing with themes considered taboo. This style was not entirely new; Jamaica had a history of risqué lyrics, evident in early genres like Mento, Ska,

The Roots Radics Band transformed reggae music in the early 1980s with a minimalistic yet powerful rhythm style. Their approach was clean, energetic, and made for a new era, moving away from the dense, layered sounds of the past. Collaborating with innovative engineers like Scientist, Soljie, and Peter Chemist, the Radics pioneered what would become

Barrington Levy was one of the most influential voices to emerge from the 1980s dancehall scene. Known for his distinct, youthful “canary” voice, his singing has only improved over the years, with a clarity and range that truly stands out. His voice is both powerful and flawless in pitch. As a young man, Barrington left

Wackies, the reggae record label founded in 1976 by Lloyd “Bullwackie” Barnes, holds a significant place in the history of reggae music. Jamaican music producer Lloyd Barnes opened Wackies in the heart of the Bronx: his studio quickly started shaping a unique sound that bridged the roots of Jamaican reggae with the gritty, urban energy

When you talk about the golden age of Jamaican music, one name that always stands out is Delroy Wilson. A pioneer in the development of ska, rocksteady, and reggae, Delroy was much more than just a singer – he was a voice that defined an era and one of Jamaica’s most soulful vocalists. At only

Roberto Sánchez, a.k.a. Lone Ark, is a name synonymous with reggae music in Spain, and his influence has spread far beyond the Iberian Peninsula. Born in 1977 in Santander, Cantabria, Roberto has dedicated his life to the sounds of roots reggae, earning him respect as a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and engineer. Early days and musical

“Anything imported from England or Scotland was in high demand, no matter how poorly suited to the local weather conditions. […] In sweltering 96-degree summer days, in polluted downtown Kingston, men could be seen in pure wool ‘diamond’ sweaters and socks, lined tweed caps, knitted vests and pinstripe-suite jackets”. Canadian photographer Beth Lesser describes Kingston’s

Prince Far I, born Michael James Williams in 1945 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, became a legend in roots reggae as a producer and for his incredibly distinctive deejay style on the microphone. Growing up in Kingston’s Waterhouse area, he was deeply influenced by the local sound system culture. Early on, he joined Sir Mike the

Dillinger, born Lester Bullocks in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1953, is a legendary reggae artist known for his quick wit and humorous lyrics. Growing up in Kingston, Dillinger was influenced by DJ toasters like Big Youth and U Roy, and by local sound systems, especially Dennis Alcapone‘s El Paso Setup, to the point that he started

Bunny Lee’s “Flying Cymbals” dominated the Dancehalls and the charts during 1974 and 1975. But what are they? The flying cymbals (or flyers rhythms) style in reggae is characterized by a distinctive, rapid hi-hat pattern that mimics the sound of a cymbal flying through the air. It became a hallmark of producers like Bunny “Striker”

Johnny Clarke has influenced Jamaican music for decades. While not widely known outside Jamaica, he was among the island’s top reggae artists in the 1970s, influencing future stars like Sugar Minott. Born in Bull Bay, Jamaica, in 1955, Johnny Clarke discovered his love for singing in church as a boy. He initially put aside musical

“When you talk about Dancehall you have to talk about me; I am the founder. Even now they are talking about Dancehall, those artists nowadays not dancehall really. They need to know who is the founder for this thing; People need to know; They want to know.” Little John (John McMorris) asserts his place as

In the late 1960s, Kingston was a vibrant city fueled by the rhythms of ska and rocksteady. Against this backdrop, the four Hoo-Kim brothers – Joseph (Jo Jo), Ernest, Paulie and Kenneth – laid the foundation for what would become a reggae mecca: Channel One. History of Channel One Studios The Hoo-Kim (sometimes also spelled

Dennis Emmanuel Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 1, 1957. His father, Arthur Brown, was a prominent Jamaican actor, while his brother Basil was a popular radio personality when Dennis was a child. Surrounded by art and music, Dennis Brown started singing at school early. Byron Lee soon discovered him, booking ‘Little Dennis

In the vibrant world of reggae music, the legacies of iconic artists often extend beyond their earthly presence through posthumous releases that echo their profound musical contributions. Here are five reggae albums released after their singers’ untimely death.

In the realm of reggae, Barry Brown stands out as one of the few singers who gracefully navigated the transition from the late roots phase to the emerging dancehall style. Blessed with a distinctive high tenor, Brown’s voice was instantly recognizable, leaving a lasting impression every time it echoed through the airwaves. His lyrics blended

Renowned as a record producer and entrepreneur, Duke Reid was a crucial figure in the inception of the Jamaican music industry, an enigmatic character with a lasting impact on the music scene. According to some sources, Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid was born in the parish of Portland, Jamaica, in 1915, while others claim it was in