The Best Reggae Music Artists to Check Out
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If you’re a fan of reggae music, then you’ll want to check out this list of the best reggae music artists. From Bob Marley to Ziggy Marley, these are the reggae musicians that you need to know about.
Bob Marley
Arguably the most famous reggae artist of all time, Bob Marley is a must-listen for anybody interested in the genre. His most popular songs, like “No Woman, No Cry” and “Three Little Birds,” are still radio staples today. Marley’s fusion of reggae, ska, and rocksteady created a unique sound that was both distinctly Jamaican and internationally appealing.
His life
Marley’s music career began in 1963 when he recorded the song “Judge Not” with The Wailers, which consisted of Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and Neville O’Riley Livingston (doing business as the Upsetters). His mother died when he was 10. Marley’s father went on to marry Cedella Booker when Marley was 12.This single was followed by ” Simmer Down,” a number one hit. By early 1964, Marley and his friends formed a new band called the Wailing Rudeboys that included Junior Braithwaite on vocals and Marguerita Williams on backing vocals, although it wouldn’t be until later that year that the band began calling themselves The Wailers.
The Wailers signed with Coxsone Dodd’s record label Studio One and released their debut album The Wailing Wailers in 1965. Between 1966 and 1967, the band had their biggest hit to date with “One Love/People Get Ready.” The song became an international hit and helped make The Wailers one of the best-known Jamaican groups of the 1960s. In 1967, they recorded Soul Rebels with Lee “Scratch” Perry which included two of Marley’s most influential songs: “Soul Rebel” and “Duppy Conqueror.”
The Wailers broke up in 1974 but later reunited with new members including Marley’s wife Rita Anderson and his brother Carlton Barrett. The reformed group released the album Rastaman Vibration in 1976 which became their first album to reach the US Top Ten. The following year, they released Exodus which was even more successful. It included the songs “Jamming,” “Waiting in Vain,” and “One Love/People Get Ready.” Exodus was named Album of the Year by Time magazine in 1977.
Marley continued to tour and release albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s including Survival (1979), Uprising (1980), Confrontation (1983), and Legend (1984). Legend, a compilation of Marley’s greatest hits, is the best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley died of cancer on May 11, 1981 at age 36.
His music
Marley’s music was very influential to the spread of reggae music and he is credited with helping to make it a worldwide genre. His unique style melded elements of ska, rocksteady, dub, andestamp. He also created his own distinctive sound by using the guitar as the lead instrument instead of the traditional horns or piano. Marley’s lyrics were often inspired by themes of social injustice, black pride, and resistance to oppression. He is also credited with popularizing the Rastafarian movement through his music.
Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley is a famous Jamaican reggae musician and the son of the late Bob Marley. He has been making music for over 20 years and has won multiple Grammy Awards. Ziggy’s music is a mix of reggae, rock, and pop. He is known for his positive and uplifting lyrics.
His life
Ziggy Marley was born David Nesta Marley on October 17, 1968, in Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica. His father was legendary reggae artist Bob Marley and his mother was Rita Marley. Ziggy was the accident-prone middle son of Bob’s eleven offspring. He started out singing and playing percussion in his father’s group, the Melody Makers, when he was just eight years old. They released their first album, Play the Game Right, in 1985 when Ziggy was only 17.
Ziggy went on to enjoy a successful solo career, winning multiple Grammy Awards for his work. His biggest hit single was “Look Who’s Dancing,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989. He also appeared in several films and TV shows over the years, including Regular Show, The Big Lebowski, and Ardman’s Academy Award-winning film Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
In addition to his musical and acting careers, Ziggy is also a dedicated philanthropist and social activist. He is a strong supporter of marijuana legalization and has worked with several charities throughout his life.
His music
Marley’s music was very influential to the spread of reggae music. He was one of the first reggae artists to achieve international stardom. His music is known for its positive messages and uplifting lyrics.
Damian “Junior Gong” Marley
Damian “Junior Gong” Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who is the son of Bob Marley. He started his career as a solo artist in 1996 with his debut album Mr. Marley. He has since released four more solo albums, the most recent being Stony Hill in 2017. Marley has won three Grammy Awards, including Best Reggae Album for Stony Hill.
His life
Damian Robert Nesta “Jr. Gong” Marley (born July 21, 1978) is a Jamaican reggae artist. The youngest son of reggae icon Bob Marley, he has been performing since the age of 13. His first album Mr. Marley, which was co-produced by his brother Stephen Marley, was released when he was just 19. Damian is also a member of the group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, which also includes his brothers Ziggy and Stephen.
Since the release of his debut album, Damian has gone on to win three Grammy Awards, including one for Best Reggae Album. He is also a multiple time Juno Award winner and has been awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government. In 2011, he launched his own line of cannabis products called Stoney Hill Farms.
His music
In his music, Marley often focuses on the struggles of the poor and working class. He also promotes messages of peace and unity. Damian “Junior Gong” Marley’s musical style is a unique blend of reggae, hip-hop, and R&B. His songs are catchy and easy to sing along to.Most of Marley’s music is happy and upbeat, but he also has some songs that deal with more serious topics.
Stephen Marley
Stephen Marley is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. He is the son of Bob Marley and has been involved in the music industry since a young age. Marley has released seven solo albums, which have received critical acclaim. He has also won eight Grammy Awards for his work.
His life
Stephen Marley, the eight-time Grammy award winner, was born on April 20, 1972 to parents Bob Marley and Rita Anderson in Kingston, Jamaica. He is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who started his musical career as a drummer. His father’s work ethic and success in the music industry proved to be an inspiration for Stephen, who went on to co-found the group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers with his brothers Ziggy and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The group achieved considerable success, releasing eight albums that sold over 4 million copies worldwide and winning three Grammy awards.
In addition to his work with Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, Stephen has released several solo albums and collaborated with a number of other artists. He has worked with Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Pitbull and many others. His most recent album, “Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life”, was released in 2016.
Stephen Marley is a committed philanthropist who works with a number of charitable organizations. He is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has raised awareness for causes such as poverty relief, environmental protection and education through his music and public appearances.
His music
Stephen Marley is an eight-time Grammy winner as a solo artist and producer. The eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Stephen began his musical career as part of the group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, with whom he released seven albums and won three Grammy Awards. As a solo artist, Stephen has released seven studio albums and one live album, the most recent being 2015’s Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life. In addition to his work as a musician, Stephen is also a dedicated philanthropist and social activist, working to raise money and awareness for a variety of causes including education, the environment, and human rights.
