The Sweet Reggae Music of Barrington Levy

Reggae music has always been a favorite of mine. I grew up listening to Bob Marley and the Wailers, and later became a fan of Barrington Levy. Levy’s music is a mix of sweet reggae tunes with a touch of R&B.

Introduction

barrington levy is a jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. He was born in 1964 in the Kingston suburb of Clarendon, the youngest of nine children. His mother died when he was seven, and his father died when he was fourteen. He began his musical career by singing in church and local talent contests.

He found success as a teenager with the singles “My Black Girl” and “Looking My Love”, which were both major hits in Jamaica. He released his debut album, Bounty Hunter, in 1979. The album was produced by Jah Thomas and featured the hit single “Collie Weed”, which helped to establish Levy’s reputation as a rising star in the reggae world.

In the 1980s, Levy toured extensively throughout Jamaica with the Roots Radics band, and also collaborated with other artists such as Eek-A-Mouse, Junior Reid, and Bounty Killer. He had a series of successful Jamaican hit singles during this decade, including “Under Mi Sensi”, “Here I Come”, and “Too Experienced”.

Levy’s international breakthrough came with the release of his album Englishman in New York in 1985. The album features Levy’s signature song “Here I Come”, which became a huge hit in Europe and America. The album helped to introduce Levy to a wider audience outside of Jamaica, and he has since toured extensively throughout the world.

Levy has released over thirty albums throughout his career, including studio albums, live albums, compilations, and collaborations with other artists. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest reggae singers of all time, and has been described as “the Reggae Maverick”.

The Early Years

Barrington Levy was born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1964. His mother was a well-known singer, and his father was a tap dancer. Levy’s family was very musical, and he grew up listening to a lot of reggae, calypso, and R&B. He began singing and writing his own songs when he was just a teenager.

Growing up in the ghetto

Barrington Levy was born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1964. He was raised in the east Kingston ghetto of collaborative Artistes, one of the roughest areas on the island. Despite the violence and poverty that surrounded him, Levy found inspiration in the music of his neighborhood. Artists like Hopeton Lewis, Delroy Wilson, and Ken Boothe played on the sound systems that blared throughout the streets and Levy was captivated. When he was just 13 years old, he started to sing with the Jah Life Sound System, one of the most popular in collaborative Artistes. It was there that he caught the attention of Jamaican producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes.

Discovering music

As a young boy growing up in the poverty-ridden streets of West Kingston, Jamaica, Barrington Levy had little exposure to the world of music. His parents were not particularly musical, and Levy himself had no interest in playing an instrument or singing. But all that changed when he heard a song on the radio by a local artist named Josey Wales. The infectious rhythms and sweet melodies of reggae music instantly captivated Levy, and he soon began to seek out more of this new sound.

Through his teenage years, Levy became a devoted fan of reggae music, collecting records and attending concerts whenever he could. He also began to develop his own musical style, influenced by the sounds of Carlos Malcolm, Gregory Isaacs, and other Jamaican artists. By the time he was in his early 20s, Levy had become a talented singer and songwriter, with a unique style that combined the sweet melodies of reggae with the hard-hitting lyrics of dancehall.

The Rise to Fame

Barrington Levy was born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1964. His mother was a higgler, or street vendor, while his father worked on a farm. As a child, Levy would often help his mother with her higgling business. He began to develop an interest in music when he was ten years old and started to listen to the radio.

‘Shine Eye Gal’

“Shine Eye Gal” is a song by Jamaican reggae artist Barrington Levy. The song was released in 1981 as a single from his album Too Experienced. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in the UK, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. The song has been credited with helping to bring reggae music to a wider audience.

‘Under Mi Sensi’

Barrington Levy’s song ‘Under Mi Sensi’ was released in 1985 and quickly became a sensation in the Jamaican reggae scene. The song propelled Levy to stardom and helped to establish him as one of the most popular reggae artists of the 1980s.

Levy’s distinctive vocal style and catchy melodies made ‘Under Mi Sensi’ an instant hit with reggae fans. The song’s success helped to launch Levy’s career and cement his place as one of the leading figures in the Jamaican music industry.

Today, ‘Under Mi Sensi’ is considered one of the classic reggae songs of all time. It remains an essential part of Barrington Levy’s catalogue and continues to be a favourite among fans of Jamaican music.

Legacy

Barrington Levy’s music has been described as a “cross between singer Dennis Brown and the hard-edged reggae of Early B.” Levy’s musical career began when he was a young teenager in the 1970s. He recorded his first album, Shaolin Temple, in 1979.

The influence of Barrington Levy on modern reggae

There are few people who have had as profound an impact on the sound of modern reggae music as Barrington Levy. A true pioneer in the genre, Levy’s work has helped to shape the sound of Jamaican music over the past several decades.

Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, in 1964, Levy began his musical career at a young age, performing with various sound systems around the island. It was clear from early on that he had a natural talent for music, and he soon began working with some of Jamaica’s most popular producers, including Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes and Joaquin ‘Joe’ Gibbs.

Levy’s breakthrough came in 1979 with the release of his debut album, Shaolin Temple, which established him as one of reggae’s most promising new talents. Over the next few years, he would go on to release a string of hit singles, including “She’s Mine,” “Looking My Love,” and “Too Experienced.”

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Levy continued to be one of reggae’s most popular artists, releasing a number of well-received albums and singles. His work has influenced countless other artists, both within reggae and beyond. In recent years, he has been working with some of today’s hottest young producers, helping to keep his sound fresh and relevant.

There is no doubt that Barrington Levy is one of the most important figures in Jamaican music history. His influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary artists, and his legacy will continue to resonate for years to come.