Caribbean Folk Music Artists You Need to Know

The Caribbean has a rich history of folk music that has been passed down through the generations. Here are some of the most popular Caribbean folk music artists you need to know.

The Best of the Best

If you’re a fan of Caribbean music, then you’ll definitely want to check out these folk music artists. From the Dominican Republic to Trinidad and Tobago, these artists bring the best of the Caribbean to the folk music genre.

Calypso

Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. The style is characterized by a heavy use of percussion, as well as elements of West African and European music. Calypso is a vibrant and joyful genre that often includes political and social commentary. Some of the most popular calypso artists include:

-The Mighty Sparrow
-Lord Melody
-Harry Belafonte
-The Beatles

Reggae

In recent years, reggae has had something of a Renaissance, with artists like Protoje, Chronixx, and Koffee leading the charge. But there are plenty of other great reggae musicians making incredible music—you just have to know where to look. Here are eight Caribbean folk music artists you need to know.

One of the most widely known and respected reggae musicians alive today, Marley is a Jamaican singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1970s with his blend of reggae, ska, and rocksteady. Marley’s biggest hits include “No Woman, No Cry”, “Exodus”, and “ could you be loved” , but he is also revered for his commitment to Rastafari Movement principles such as social justice and peace.

A mento singer from Jamaica, Stewart is best known for her 1967 hit single “ perseus ”. She has been described as the First Lady of Jamaican folk music and has been credited with helping to spread mentoKnow around the world. Stewart is also a member of the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Soca superstar Mighty Sparrow (born Slinger Francisco) is one of the best-known and most prolific calypsonians of all time. He has released more than 30 albums over his 60-year career and was even nicknamed “The Birdie” by Trinidadian Prime Minister Eric Williams . Mighty Sparrow has won numerous awards and was inducted into both the American Calypso Music Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Music Hall of Fame.

Lord Kitchener (born Aldwyn Roberts) was a Trinidadian calypsonian who enjoyed immense popularity throughout the Caribbean in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s . He was considered one of the pioneers of soca music and helped to popularize calypso internationally with hits like “ flag woman” , “ gin house blues” , “ man ah bad man” ,and “ Road March” . Lord Kitchener was posthumously inducted into both the American Calypso Music Hall of Fame and Trinidad & Tobago’s Calypso History Preservation Society Wall of Fame.

Bona fide soca legend Machel Montano was born in Trinidad in 1974 . He started his musical career at just nine years old as a member of the band Xtatik and released his first solo album when he was just 16 . In 2006 , he became the first soca artist to ever perform at Madison Square Garden . Montano has won numerous awards over the course of his career including multiple Soca Monarch titles andRoad March championships . He was also inducted into Trinidad & Tobago’s Calypso History Preservation Society Wall of Fame in 2012 .

Soca

Soca music is a genre of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s and soon spread to the other English-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Soca is a blend of calypso music with Indian Sounds. The lyrics are usually sung in English, with a focus on themes like partying, dancing, and having a good time.

Soca music is typically associated with the Carnival festival, and it is often played at carnival parties and other festive events. Soca songs often have catchy, uptempo rhythms that make them perfect for dancing. Some well-known soca artists include Arrow, Sean Paul, Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous, and Destra Garcia.

Up and Coming Artists

With the popularity of Latin music on the rise, it’s no surprise that Caribbean folk music artists are starting to make a name for themselves. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your playlist, here are some up and coming artists you need to know.

Mavado

Mavado is a Jamaican dancehall artist who was born David Constantine Brooks on November 30, 1981, in Kingston, Jamaica. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his singles “Let’s Go”, “Rising Sun”, and “Real McKoy”, which were all included on his debut album, Gangland (2007). Mavado’s second album, Mr.Brooks… A Better Tomorrow (2009), peaked at number eight on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. He has since released several other successful singles, including “I’m So Special” (2009), “House Top” (2010), and “Give It All to Me” (2013).

Alkaline

Alkaline is a Jamaican reggae fusion artist who has been making waves in the music scene since 2013. His unique style combines elements of dancehall, hip hop, and R&B, resulting in a sound that is both fresh and familiar. With hits like “Pretty Girl Team” and “Spoil You,” Alkaline is quickly becoming one of the most popular artists in the Caribbean.

Koffee

Koffe, born Mikayla Simpson, is a Jamaican rapper, singer, and songwriter. Her music career started in 2013 with the release of her single “Legend.” She gained mainstream attention in 2019 with the release of her EP Rapture, which peaked at number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Koffee’s music is a unique blend of hip-hop, reggae, and pop. She is often hailed as one of the most promising young artists in the Caribbean folk music scene.

Legends

The Caribbean boasts a range of talented folk music artists who have made waves both in the islands and internationally. Here are just a few of the legends you need to know.

Buju Banton

Arguably the most popular and well-known artist on this list, Buju Banton is a Jamaican dancehall singer whose career began in the early 1990s. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in dancehall, with a string of hits including “Boom Bye Bye”, “Murderer”, and “Untold Stories”. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and in 2019 he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.

Beenie Man

Beenie Man was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1973 and rose to fame during the early 1990s. He is one of the most prominent artists in Jamaican dancehall and reggae music, and is widely considered one of the greatest MCs of all time. His hits include “Who Am I (Sim Simma)” and “Zunguzung.”

Bounty Killer

legitimacy. He is also one of the most controversial and charismatic artists in Jamaican history, with a career that has been shrouded in controversy and violence.

Born in Trenchtown, Kingston, in 1972, Bounty Killer (real name Rodney Price) was a product of the tough ghetto streets. He grew up in a household with his mother and several siblings, and was exposed to music from an early age. His older brother, Bruck Up, was a sound system selector, and Bounty Killer would often help him out at parties. It was here that he began to develop his MCing skills, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most gifted young talents on the scene.

Bounty Killer’s career began to take off in the early 1990s when he teamed up with fellow Jamaican artist Beenie Man. The two released a string of successful singles together, including ‘Operation Sweep Clean’ and ‘Gun Shot’. They also collaborated on Beenie Man’s debut album, ‘The Magnificent’, which was released in 1994.

By this time, Bounty Killer had developed his own unique style – a rapid-fire delivery that became known as ‘murderation’. His lyrics were often violent and dark, reflecting the grim reality of life in the ghetto. This earned him a lot of fans among Jamaica’s poor and working-class population, but it also attracted criticism from those who felt he was glorifying violence.