Bounty Killer  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:26Go to full article Jamaican Dancehall veteran Bounty Killer takes the rock to the hip-hop hole with party numbers that often leave reggae rhythm behind in favor of a club-ready, Puffy style beat. Bucktown's own Cocoa Brovaz help him perfect his crossover dribble. - Alex Henning
 
Sean Paul  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:25Go to full article Hip-hop has always taken inspiration from Dancehall -- thanks to New York's sizeable Jamaican population -- and collaborations between the two communities have been increasing. But it took Dancehall newcomer Sean Paul to finally close the gap. After a series of collaborations with such artists as Jay-Z and DMX, Paul's long-awaited sophomore album Dutty Rock burned up clubs all over the world with its stellar combination of grit, glitz and girl-talk. Culturally mongrel, Paul is something of an anomaly in the Dancehall world: he's the well-educated son of a Portuguese-Jamaican father and a Chinese-Jamaican mother (a well-known Jamaican artist). He was even a top athlete before abandoning water polo for the microphone. We're glad he did. It may not be the deepest lyricism you'll ever encounter, but Paul's mic control is masterful, and as track-swollen as it is, "Dutty Rock" does indeed rock from start to finish. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Elephant Man  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:25Go to full article A young man with big ears (hence the childhood nickname), Elephant Man is a Jamaican dancehall emcee with a big love for American hip-hop. While Sean Paul style crossover may not be imminent, Elephant Man's gruff style has earned him a few cameos - with Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey - and thus interest from record labels north of the Caribbean. His 2003 release Pon Di River, Pon Di Bank delivered a shot of true, unadulterated dancehall for which American charts might just have been ready. - Sarah Bardeen
 
T.O.K.  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:25Go to full article 
 
VYBZ Kartel  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:21Go to full article This up-and-coming dancehall deejay has been spitting since he was 10 years old. Numerous gongings at the Jamaican version of The Gong Show didn't scare the kid off; he released his solo debut Up 2 Di Time in 2003. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Anthony B  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:19Go to full article Socially conscious Dancehall artist mixes toasting and DJ'ing with a huge stage presence and vocal power. Anthony B's songs are influential -- his 1997 hit "Nah Vote Again" is said to have helped keep the peace in Jamaica's elections. - Jessy Terry
 
Shabba Ranks  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:10Go to full article He's gained international recognition and praise from fans and musicians alike, delivering semi-rapped lines with his gravelly vocals on hundreds of classic tracks -- often with support from major artists like KRS-One, Maxi-Priest and Queen Latifah among others. Though he's cleaned up his act considerably, the slackness' of his lyrics is evident in even the titles of his albums, such as Love Punanny Bad, and who can blame him? The single "Wicked in Bed" earned him a good deal of his massive reputation. As an artist on Epic records, Ranks has reached a much larger audience than many of his peers, gaining fans all over the world, especially in Japan and England. Working with top producers like King Jammy and Bobby Digital has given his music reliably fresh rhythms and a melodic edge. With a couple of Grammys and name drops by artists like A Tribe Called Quest, there seems to be little chance of Shabba's reign ending. - Jessy Terry
 
Junior Kelly  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:07Go to full article Junior Kelly is a consummate lyricist and able vocalist whose sing-jay style proves the guy can rough it up with the best dancehall vocalists or smooth it out as suavely as Dennis Brown. Raised in Kingston in the 1970s, Kelly was the youngest child in his family and was well protected by older siblings and his parents from the harsh economic realities of their life, but that protective bubble was burst when Kelly's older brother Jim, a budding artist with the Kilimanjaro sound system, was shot. Kelly witnessed the murder and was sent to live in the countryside for his protection. Sadly Junior Kelly is not as big a star in Jamaica as he is in England and the United States. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Dennis Brown  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:02Go to full article Known as the Crown Prince of Reggae (Bob Marley is still king), Dennis Brown's voice was capable of conveying both romantic themes and conscious Roots topics. Brown, who passed away from respiratory failure in 1999, began as a young Roots singer, working with producers such as Coxsone Dodd and Niney the Observer and adding his wails to many backing and solo efforts. With more than eighty albums recorded, Brown has a tremendous catalog -- from the sweetest Lovers Rock to more recent Dancehall. His steady soulful vibrato can melt you like a candle. - Jessy Terry
 
Shaggy  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:45:01Go to full article Jamaican born and Brooklyn raised, Shaggy first entered the pop charts with his 1993 remake of the reggae classic "Oh Carolina." Sampling the Peter Gunn theme and treating the lyrics with his self-named "dog-a-muffin" style, Shaggy charmed the charts and soon found himself signed to Virgin Records for an unprecedented wad of cash. The investment paid off in 1995, when "Boombastic" (off the album of the same name) became a ubiquitous hit both in the U.S. and abroad, as Shaggy boasted of his sexual prowess in his signature growl. But his following release didn't fare as well, and Virgin dropped him, assuming they had a one-hit wonder whose hit was spent. The move was disastrous for them but it proved to be a boon to MCA, who snapped him up and hit pay dirt when 2000's Hot Shot ended up selling over six million copies, mostly on the strength of the phenomenally successful single "It Wasn't Me." Though his follow-up, 2002's Lucky Day, didn't produce a hit on the order of "It Wasn't Me," it still performed well -- and Shaggy, with his randy persona and witty lyricism, always seems to find his way back to the charts. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Capleton  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:44:59Go to full article Like fellow Jamaican heavyweights Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks, Capleton has had a shift in attitude from his early days as a rude boy. These days, his lyrics are all about culture and his Rastafarian faith -- a bit different from the slack lyrics that resulted in some of his songs being banned from Jamaican radio. He may have gained his audience with his graphic sexual themes, but it was the Rasta elements, like the addition of nyahbingi drumming, that earned him his place as a pioneer. His deep, commanding voice takes over a hard digital track or even hip-hop inspired R&B. Whether he's working with Stuart Brown's African Star sound system, or legendary duos Sly and Robbie or Steely and Clevie, it doesn't matter -- it's always predictably tight, fresh Dancehall. - Jessy Terry
 
Beenie Man  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:44:54Go to full article Beenie Man makes you get up and dance with his thick bass grooves and addictive Dancehall toasting. From his days as a ten- year-old prodigy to recent explorations of heavier, more mature themes, an underlying positive vibe has always run through his globally influential music. - Jessy Terry
 
Yellowman  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:44:23Go to full article The rudest Dancehall toaster of the 1980s, Jamaica's albino son Yellowman made as many enemies as fans with his controversial, often overtly sexist (if tongue in cheek) lyrics. Now back on the Ragga scene, singing at a slightly slower pace, Yellowman's witticisms are as cheeky, spirited and intelligent as ever, and delivered with his customary sharp, melodic style. - Jessy Terry
 
Mr. Vegas  donderdag 12 april 2007, 11:44:22Go to full article Mr. Vegas' tuned toasting style can easily get a party on its feet, and his sparse, throbbing beats have enough bass to do serious damage to any sound system. - Jessy Terry
 
Sizzla  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:51Go to full article Culture-oriented DJ toasts and chants strong Rasta messages into each of his cuts. Sizzla uses the freshest drum-dominated rhythms coming from the Jamaican label Xterminator. - Jessy Terry
 
Beres Hammond  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:51Go to full article Unlike many current Jamaican artists, Hammond has the vocal skills to sing a melody like the Reggae greats of the '70s. Hammond has been around since then, but it wasn't till more recently that he got the recognition and album sales that he deserved. His high, pure voice has just a hint of wispy gravel in it, bringing smooth lovers melodies and Rastafarian themes into his songs when many others were making money off more guns-and-women oriented lyrics. Influenced by Reggae pioneers like Alton Ellis and U.S. artists like Marvin Gaye, Hammond has a soulful voice that is one of Jamaica's modern-day classics. From Roots to Dancehall to Lovers Rock, Hammond has proven his versatility over any type of rhythm. - Jessy Terry
 
Tanya Stephens  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:49Go to full article Tanya Stephens brings a welcome female sensibility to the male-dominated dancehall scene. Born Vivienne Tanya Stephenson, Stephens was steeped in everything from calypso to American soul as a child. When she started rhyming as a teenager, she found herself bringing calypso's witty double entendres and a melodic singing voice (as well as strong toasting) to the table. She hooked up with producer Barry O'Hare for her first album, 1994's Big Tings A Gwan, which launched hits like "Kick Way" and "I Bet You Miss Me." In 1998 Stephens moved to Sweden, where she recorded alternative rock tracks, of all things, for Warner Bros. Needless to say the move didn't last -- she missed dancehall dreadfully, and within three years she was back in Jamaica, hanging around recording studios, armed with a burning creative streak. She released the refreshing and savvy Gangsta Blues in 2004 on VP Records and followed it with Rebelution in 2006. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Super Cat  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:47Go to full article Perfectly summarizing the fractious world of Jamaican Dancehall, Super Cat (aka the Wild Apache) works an aggressive style that combines his undeniable talent on the mic with backing tracks that apply hip-hop methodology to the rhythms of Reggae. While his lyrics are often politically aware, he also shares some rappers' problems with not practicing what they preach -- his is a conscious gangster, if there can be such a thing. As with much dance music, though, it is Super Cat's diamond-hard productions that have built his reputation. - Mike Schulman
 
Luciano  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:46Go to full article Luciano is part of the next generation of roots reggae musicians in Jamaica. Born in 1974, Luciano (born Jepther McClymont) had his first hit in the early '90s with "Give My Love A Try." A pair of U.K. hits followed, and Luciano was launched. He's grown more religious over the years, touring with the Jah Messenjah band and releasing a record with Mikey General in 2000, Wisdom Knowledge and Overstanding. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Wayne Wonder  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:45Go to full article Though he started out vocalizing straight-ahead reggae tunes, over the years Wayne Wonder has evolved into one of the leading sweet-voiced lite dancehall vocalists in recent years. Born Von Wayne Charles, he captivates Jamaica's female audience with his silky, romantic melodies and big brown eyes. Sometimes he brings in gruff heavyweights like Buju Banton to add some edge to the unremittingly smooth R&B-touched tunes, but it's that tenor wail that keeps the ladies swooning. - Nate Cavalieri
 
Chuck Fenda  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:07:42Go to full article 
 
Freddie McGregor  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:43Go to full article McGregor's smooth, classic reggae voice has spanned decades with its warm sound and effortless vibrato. From his beginnings as a seven year-old singer with the Clarendonians in the '60s, to his work as a slick producer and Dancehall singer in the present day, McGregor has always managed to put his own stamp on whatever reggae's current sound may be. His singing on many of Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One albums has earned him the title of living legend, satisfying many souls with his rootsy lover's tracks and laid-back vocal delivery. - Jessy Terry
 
Buju Banton  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:41Go to full article His voice lays down some of the hardest lyrics this side of Shabba Ranks, but Banton's developing messages are helping Dancehall move away from earlier Gangsta trappings. Banton originally got into some trouble for some politically incorrect standpoints, but his music has kept audiences dancing with a tight backing band and music that relies on the sound and message of Roots Reggae. - Jessy Terry
 
Cocoa Tea  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:36Go to full article Working with artists such as the Roots Radics Band and Shabba and Cutty Ranks has only made Cocoa Tea's sweet, smooth voice become stronger. He's earned a place as one of the best Dancehall singers of his time, writing incendiary lyrics with a calm, fierce determination. - Jessy Terry
 
Lady Saw  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:33Go to full article Lady Saw shines on everything from a country ballad to a slack classic like "Life Without Dick." The First Lady of Dancehall's lyrics are unbelievably raw, and she delivers them with as much energy as Shabba or Buju Banton. - Jessy Terry
 
Barrington Levy  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:32Go to full article Skirting the boundaries between reggae and Dancehall vocals, Levy sings in a high voice that can soothe you like a lover's call or make you dance in a rhythmic Raggamuffin style. He earned his fame with songs like "Under Mi Sensi" and "Collie Weed," promoting a positive Rastafarian message, with rhythmic backing by players like Roots Radics or Sly and Robbie. - Jessy Terry
 
Spragga Benz  vrijdag 6 april 2007, 12:06:31Go to full article 
 
Eek-A-Mouse  maandag 2 april 2007, 10:47:47Go to full article His style is as diverse as the costumes he wears on stage, but Eek-A-Mouse's vocal delivery is instantly recognizable and unique. Streaming lyrics flow off the top, center and middle of his mind, punctuated by characteristic 'Far East'-style phrases like 'biddy biddy bang didley bang bong.' The humor invades your brain, while your body is stewed in upbeat Ragga or hard Roots Radics rhythms. The Mouse's innovative mixture of singing and DJ-style toasting influenced many who came later, and helped to forge the Dancehall sound. A progressive style and cameos in Hollywood movies like 1991's New Jack City have given Eek-A-Mouse a higher profile than many of his contemporaries, the better to get those distinct squeals and zany rants to as many people as possible. - Jessy Terry
 
Damian Marley  donderdag 22 maart 2007, 10:59:17Go to full article As the youngest Marley, Damian has taken a decidedly less pop route than brother Ziggy. His Roots-influenced reggae swings with heavy, throbbing rhythms and a heavily-accented ragamuffin style. If you didn't find Jah-love with his father, it may soon be forthcoming with the son's hypnotic take on the genre. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Cham  woensdag 21 maart 2007, 11:21:11Go to full article Born in Kingston in 1977, Dameon Dean Beckett grew up observing deejays and tagging after sound systems. He knew he wanted to rap by the age of seven, but he didn't get down to business until he finished school and teamed up with producer Dave Kelly in 1993. His first single, 1994's "One Bag a Hotness," kicked off the release of a steady stream of tracks featuring production support from Kelly and the Mad People Gang, including "Many Many," "Man & Man" and "Boom Tune." After gaining a steady following, he collected the singles on his 2000 debut album Wow: The Story, named for his signature verbal tic "wow-wow." The 2003 single "Vitamin S" built on that release's success, and, despite a string of banned tracks in Jamaica, Cham was poised to win over the crossover rap/R&B audience with 2006's Ghetto Story. - Sarah Bardeen
 
Half Pint  maandag 19 maart 2007, 17:19:53Go to full article Half Pint offers blistering live performances, singing in a half-reggae, half-Dancehall style that's energetic and melodic at the same time. He got his start working with Prince Jammy, and his songs have been covered by the Rolling Stones, among others.
 
Sanchez  vrijdag 16 maart 2007, 11:44:14Go to full article Smooth reggae vocals reminiscent of Jacob Miller with a Dancehall style. Sanchez has become famous for his reggae interpretations of pop songs by artists such as Tracy Chapman and R. Kelly. His church singing upbringing gave Sanchez the pipes to compete, surviving the changing forms of Dancehall from its electro-synth beginnings to its current Gangsta Rap-influenced style. - Jessy Terry
 
Garnett Silk  zondag 11 maart 2007, 12:30:38Go to full article Before he was tragically killed by an exploding gas canister, Garnett Silk seemed on the brink of international success. He was adept at mixing styles: with his booming yet sleek vocals, he sang of romance and social issues with equal ease. - Jessy Terry
 
Kevin Lyttle  vrijdag 9 maart 2007, 17:59:59Go to full article Raised on the island of St. Vincent, Kevin Lyttle immersed himself in local music at a young age, and started writing his own songs at 14. Inspired by the traditional soca sound as well as American hits (especially Michael Jackson), he performed in various talent shows around the Caribbean, honing his skills and working on new material. In 2001, he teamed up with a local producer and recorded "Turn Me On," a super-slick party jam that blurred the lines between soca, dancehall, R&B and pop. The song was a huge success locally, and soon spread all over Europe, hitting the top of the charts in France, the U.K., Belgium, Denmark, Germany and several other countries. Lyttle's self-titled debut dropped in the summer of 2004. - Brolin Winning
 
Tanto Metro & Devonte  donderdag 8 maart 2007, 12:07:10Go to full article This hot Jamaican duo combines tough, gravel-voiced toasting and sweet female vocals for Dancehall that pleases fans of bass-heavy beats and soothing R&B alike. - Jessy Terry
 
Tony Matterhorn  zaterdag 3 maart 2007, 11:40:12Go to full article 
 
Mad Cobra  zaterdag 3 maart 2007, 11:39:58Go to full article 
 
Yami Bolo  donderdag 1 maart 2007, 11:58:07Go to full article Beginning in the early '80s, Yami Bolo was slated as the fresh blood that was to invigorate reggae -- and he has helped to do it. Eschewing gun and money lyrics, Bolo takes Roots Reggae's conscious lyrics and beautiful melodies and floats them over the most modern Dancehall rhythms of the day. It doesn't seem to matter whom he works with: whether it's Sly & Robbie, Bobby Digital, Winston Riley, King Jammy, Augustus Pablo or Tappa Zukie, Bolo's cuts are consistently fresh and catchy. His track "Love is Dangerous," a collaboration with Kazafumi Miyazawa, made him a smash success in Japan, and he's broken out of Jamaica's boundaries elsewhere too, with his positive messages and silky, almost R&B voice. For the best in up-to-date Dancehall with a touch of the class that made '70s reggae albums so great, Yami Bolo is at the top of modern Jamaican artists. - Jessy Terry
 
Morgan Heritage  maandag 26 februari 2007, 12:04:17Go to full article The children of Denroy Morgan come together for smoothly flowing Reggae balladry driven by supple melodies and laid-back beats. Performing at the Reggae Sunsplash festival and recording with Sly and Robbie has increased their visibility. - Jessy Terry
 
Papa San  vrijdag 23 februari 2007, 12:13:19Go to full article Papa San's Dancehall reveals the oft-discussed link between the genre and its latter-day offspring, rap. While speaker-rattling bass pours forth, San launches into spitfire raps shot with quartz precision at speeds only measurable by radar -- all without a moment of getting hung up on even the most difficult potential tongue twisters. - Kali Holloway
 
Ken Boothe  zaterdag 17 februari 2007, 11:43:09Go to full article A versatile vocalist whose career spans almost the entire modern Jamaican music era, Boothe was one of the first solo singers to adopt the new Rock Steady rhythms in the mid-1960s. His sweet, clear tone was strongly reminiscent of American Soul singers like Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin, and his work with hit-making producers like Leslie Kong and Lloyd Charmers kept Boothe at the top of the Jamaican charts from the late '60s right up to the '80s. Always imbuing each tune with his warmth and personality, Boothe is a critical link throughout Reggae's history and an undeniable influence on generations of Jamaican singers. - Mike Schulman
 
Sly and Robbie  vrijdag 16 februari 2007, 11:35:21Go to full article Jamaica's "riddim twins" are essentially the backbone of many classic reggae singles and albums, supporting practically every major reggae artist and a variety of international artists. Drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare have a relationship they refer to as almost a marriage: Their rhythmic fusion is so tight it borders on extrasensory perception. Since the mid-'70s they've performed everything from sparse, throbbing dub with their band the Revolutionaries to digitized dancehall on their Taxi Label. Sly and Robbie consistently remain a step ahead of their competition in terms of originality and rhythmic perfection, spurred on by crisp acoustic and synth beats. Their production credits read like a who's who of reggae: Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Ini Kamoze and hundreds more, not to mention stars as diverse as Boogie Down Productions, Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. More recently they've continued to chip away at reggae's boundaries, adding latin, hip-hop, jungle and drum 'n' bass to their island stew and collaborating with electronica producers such as Howie B. - Jessy Terry
 
Sugar Minott  vrijdag 16 februari 2007, 11:34:28Go to full article Sugar Minott got his nickname in the 1970s, thanks to his sweet voice and the prodigious talent that led him to form his first group, African Brothers. Lured over to the Jamaican hit factory Studio One, Minott made his reputation there as a lyricist, improvising hit songs over classic reggae riddims. Success led him to set up his own production company, Youth Promotion/Black Roots, which enabled him to work with youth in the ghettos of Kingston. His independent spirit angered the Jamaican music industry, however, and he had relocated to the U.K. by the '80s; he subsequently became a star there with his smooth Lovers Rock style. His prolific output over the years includes cover versions of classic Soul songs (to which his talent is perfectly suited), as well as harder-edged Dancehall. His voice is already immortalized in reggae's consciousness, but the social conscience that guides his songwriting and production is another mark of distinction. - Robert Leaver
 
Mikey Dread  donderdag 15 februari 2007, 12:28:34Go to full article Mikey Dread has become an important figure in Dub and Dancehall -- and in Reggae in general, for that matter -- although his name remains largely unknown to those who aren't fans of the genre. Even if you haven't heard of Dread, it's likely that you've heard artists he's worked with (Izzy Stradlin, UB40, and the Clash), or singles and LPs that he's produced ("Red, Red Wine" and the Clash's "Bankrobber" and Sandinista). Much of his success has come vicariously through the imprint he's left on the work of other artists. It's unfortunate that a vocalist with his talent remains cloaked in anonymity beyond Reggae's boundaries, especially considering that his unique, adenoidal voice is a soulful break from the bark-and-growl trend pervading contemporary Dancehall. - Kali Holloway
 
Snow  maandag 12 februari 2007, 11:53:02Go to full article A one-hit wonder from Canada, Snow is known for his 1993 single "Informer." Produced by ex-Juice Crew member MC Shan, his pop-meets-dancehall-meets-rap style earned him platinum plaque but no respect from hip-hop and reggae purists. He returned with two more albums during the second half of the decade, neither of which found much love.
 
Chaka Demus and Pliers  vrijdag 26 januari 2007, 10:57:50Go to full article Moderately successful on their own, the unique combination of Chaka Demus' gruff voice and Pliers' sweet sing-jay style has made them amongst the best-selling Reggae artists ever. Skillfully spicing their stepping tracks with pop vibes, they've developed a sound that works equally well in the dancehalls of Jamaica and the R&B clubs of London. - Mike Schulman
 
Bunny Wailer  maandag 22 januari 2007, 10:41:32Go to full article With one of the sweetest, most sought-after baritones in reggae and cred to burn, Bunny Wailer has been one of the leading progenitors of message-heavy Roots Reggae for nearly 30 years. Wailer formed the Wailers with Peter Tosh and went on to international fame as part of the best-known reggae group ever. Yet Wailer's solo career has also garnered him accolades, as he strives to continue a tradition of soulful tangling with issues of political oppression and celebrating that struggle with steady Dancehall riddims. - Sarah Bardeen
 
K7  dinsdag 16 januari 2007, 10:50:22Go to full article New York emcee/producer achieved considerable mainstream success with this radio/club single from '93. With its playful, dance-inducing beats, thumping basslines, and catchy, innuendo-laced lyrics, it was destined to be a hit. Funky horn blasts, well timed samples, and chanting choruses take the listener to a magic place where the ladies are fly, the dancefloor is pumpin', and the party lasts all night long. - Brolin Winning
 
Ky-Mani Marley  maandag 4 december 2006, 10:30:30Go to full article The son of Bob Marley has a lot to live up to and Ky-Mani does justice to his father's memory with a Soul-inflected mixture of hip-hop and reggae that is as uncompromising as it is accessible -- a tricky thing to pull off. Respectable mainstream pop hasn't forgotten its roots, yet refuses to be restricted by them. - Mike McGuirk
 
The Paragons  zaterdag 18 november 2006, 10:43:50Go to full article If the Paragons were from Detroit, it's likely Berry Gordy would have snatched them up and made them into world-famous stars, and they'd have lived public lives as long as Methuselah's, thanks to boxed set reissues and endless reunions. Instead, Jamaica's most amazing vocal group blazed at home