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10 of the most Famous Reggae Singers

As they say, nobody can stop reggae. Reggae is one of the most distinctive music styles around with its huge emphasis on hypnotic percussion and bass, as well as steady rhythm. In many ways, reggae gives its listeners a sense of happiness. Reggae’s roots trace back to the late 1940s and 1950s when the Jamaican recording industry was in its infancy. It emerged as the country’s dominant music and has maintained its popularity over the years.

When you put on reggae music, it feels like you are enjoying the day out in the sun somewhere in the Caribbean. However, reggae is much more than that. Often, its songs explore important topics such as social justice, politics, and Rastafarianism. Let’s look at 10 of the most famous reggae singers.

1. Bob Marley

Photo by Ueli Frey. Wikimedia Commons.

Bob Marley’s original name is Robert Nesta Marley in 1945. He was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, to a white father and a Jamaican mother. He dropped out of school to focus and pursue his music career. His success started from his work with reggae band Bob Marley and The Wailers which was formed in the early 60s.

They were prolific in producing music throughout the 60s and 70s with hits like 鈥淚s This Love,鈥� 鈥淛amming,鈥� 鈥淥ne Love,鈥� 鈥淐ould You Be Loved,鈥� and 鈥淣o Woman No Cry鈥� among many others. His name remains synonymous with reggae with is a testament to the brilliance of his music and impact on the music world.

2. Desmond Dekker

Desmond Dekker who was one of reggae鈥檚 earliest mainstream stars. He became famous for singing in his authentic Jamaican dialect. He sang classics like 鈥淚t Miek鈥� and 鈥淚sraelites.鈥�

Dekker was credited for introducing rude boy culture to Britain and other parts of the world and paved the way for reggae singers such as Bob Marley to become mainstream. Dekker continued performing and wowing audiences around the world into the 2000s.

3. Dennis Brown

Dennis Brown was born in Kingston. He grew up in a street that had a lot of recording studio activity. From a young age, he was exposed to the Jamaican music scene, and he began performing with big names like Byron Lee and The Dragonaires at only nine years old.

After turning 11, he released a cover of 鈥淣o Man Is an Island”.  It instantly became a hit. In his great career, Brown was able to work with major producers like Joe Gibbs and Derrick Harriott. His rise to fame intensified after Bob Marley declared him as his personal favorite.

4. Burning Spear

Burning Spear. Photo by Sonia Rodney..

Burning Spear is also known as Winston Rodney. He is best known for showcasing Rastafari messages. Burning Spear was the name of his group, which was inspired by Jomo Kenyatta, the first President and Prime Minister of an independent Kenya.

Since the beginning of his career, he has been a vocal advocate against oppression and he is one of the most popular proponents of African activism. Spear was nominated for a Grammy for his song 鈥淩asta Business鈥� in 2005, and he won a Grammy for his song 鈥淐alling Rastafari鈥� and 鈥淛ah Is Real鈥� in 2000 and 2009, respectively.

5. Marcia Griffiths

Marcia Griffiths is known as the empress of reggae music. She boasts a career that spans over 40 years, and she isn鈥檛 stopping. She started as a soloist, then became a vocalist for Byron Lee and The Dragonaires.

Soon after, she launched her solo career and recorded hits such as 鈥淔eel Like Jumping.鈥� Griffiths grew in popularity after starting a duo with Bob Andy. As well, she toured with Bob Marley as a member of I-threes and made the billboard charts with 鈥淓lectric Boogie Song.鈥�

6. Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Marley is the eldest son of Bob Marley. It is therefore no surprise that he has thrived in the reggae industry. Ziggy Marley has made a name for himself in the industry and has even won several Grammy awards.

Shortly after his father鈥檚 death, he and his siblings formed the Melody Makers. In 1998, their album 鈥淐onscious Party鈥� helped them become mainstream. He pushed with his solo career in 2006, recording more albums such as 鈥淒ragonfly鈥� and 鈥淟ove Is My Religion.鈥�

7. Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh and Robbie Shakespeare, Cardiff 1978. Photo by TimDuncan. .

Winston Hubert McIntosh, also known as Peter Tosh, was another member of The Wailers, along with Bob Marley. He is remembered for his commanding voice that remains unmatched. After leaving The Wailers, he launched a successful solo career. He had a duet with Mick Jagger while touring with the Rolling Stones.

He had a lot of success in his own right and was known for his songs 鈥淪tepping Razor,鈥� 鈥淓qual Rights,鈥� and his cover song of Chuck Berry鈥檚 song 鈥淛ohnny B. Goode.鈥� His song championing legalization of marijuana “Legalize it” became an international hit.

8. Jimmy Cliff

While Jimmy Cliff is his stage name, this Jamaican-born reggae artist is called James Chambers. He is the only living reggae artist to have received the Jamaican Order of Merit, which is granted by the Jamaican government to people who have had great achievements in science and art.

Cliff鈥檚 first hit song was 鈥淗urricane Hattie,鈥� which he recorded at just 14. He introduced millions of people to reggae music after performing in the landmark movie 鈥淭he Harder They Come鈥� in 1972.

9. Toots

Toots Hibert. Photo by Karl Simpson. .

Frederick Nathaniel Hibbert, popularly known as Toots, was one of the most distinctive Jamaican reggae singers. Toots was from May Pen, Jamaica, and had a significant influence on reggae.

He gained popularity for his energetic, funky, and soulful vocals. Some of his most popular songs include 鈥淒o the Reggay,鈥� as well as his rendition of 鈥淚 Can鈥檛 Stand the Rain,鈥� and 鈥�(I鈥檝e Got) Dreams to Remember.鈥�

10. Sizzla

Born in Kingston in 1976, Sizzla has brought reggae into the 21st century. He’s released a whopping 56 albums to date, with some of the most important being 1997’s ‘Praise Ye Jah’ and 2013’s ‘The Messiah’, which brought Sizzla his first Grammy nomination.

Some of his most loved tracks include ‘Thank U Mamma’ and ‘I’m Living’. No other contemporary artist has managed to recreate the popularity of reggae throughout the 70s and 80s as Sizzla has today.