Jamaican Music

A Jamaican ska and reggae singer, Phyllis Dillon began singing in talent contests and was influenced by American singers. It was during one of her performances with the groupThe Vulcans that she was discovered. She was only 19 when she recorded her first record, and she initially started doing covers of both popular and obscure American songs.

1967 marked a double life for Dillon as she flew back and forth from New York to Jamaica for her family and career and her recording for Duke Reid. She ended her recording career at the age of 24 but resumed her career in 1991 to tour London, Germany and Japan.

Dillon remained active in the music industry until her sickness took its toll on her. She died on April 15, 2004 after 2 years of battling cancer.

Lady Saw is the “First Lady of Dancehall”. Coming on the scene in the early 80’s she made a name for herself and was the first female deejay to win a Grammy Award. Lady Saw is also the first female to headline shows outside of Jamaica.

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Ruby Turner moved to England when she was 9, and her major musical break was in the mid-1980s, when she joined Culture Club. Her first album entitled Women Hold Up Half the Sky was released in 1986, to critical acclaim.

Ruby Turner was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She moved to Handsworth, Birmingham, England when she was nine years old. Her major break came in the mid 1980s, when she joined Culture Club. A solo recording contract with Jive Records closely followed. Her first album, Women Hold Up Half The Sky, was released in 1986, to critical acclaim.

I Wayne, also known as Clifford Taylor hit the roots reggae scene in early 2000. He is known best for his hits, “Can’t Satisfy Her” and “Living in Love”.

Janice Fyffe or Lady G, is a female Jamaican dancehall and reggae DJ. Her most popular song is “Man a Bad Man,” from the film Third World Cop. She has a solid fan base in Jamaica although she is not as popular outside. Other songs of hers include “Nuff Respect,” “Round Table Talk,” “Certain Friends,” and “Breeze Off.” She has also recently toured the United States with Buju Banton.

This is a performace of Movado performing his hit, Gangster for Life in 2006 at a local club in Atlanta. The performance was hot and he did his thing as usual. Can’t wait for more hits from the man that revived reggae in 2007!!!

James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff, was born on April 1, 1948 in St. Catherine, Jamaica. He is a Jamaican reggae musician best known among mainstream audiences for hit songs like “Sittin’ in Limbo,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want It,” and “Many Rivers to Cross.”

Aside from providing the music for the 1972 film “The Harder they Come,” Jimmy Cliff also starred as reggae singing hopeful Ivan Martin, appeared as Jamaican musician and revolutionary Ernest Reed, and contributed the song “Seven Day Weekend,” where he sang with Elvis Costello.

Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He is the most renowned performer of reggae music, to the point that when one mentions reggae, Bob Marley’s name is sure to follow.

Bob Marley is best known for his reggae songs “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Three Little Birds,” “Exodus, ” “Could You Be Loved,” “Redemption Song,” “One Love,” and “No Woman No Cry,” the video below.

Shelly Thunder is the original Dancehall Queen. With hits from the 80s like Break Up and Kuff….she’s still on the scene today making gospel music popular to the masses.

Lady G has made her mark on the reggae music game with female anthems such as “Nuff Respect” and “Me or your Gun”. She also took charge of her own finances by creating G-String, her own production company.