Jamaican Music

Brigadier Jerry, born Robert Russell on September 28, 1957 in Kingston, is a Jamaican dancehall reggae deejay whose lyrics are strictly roots & culture. A member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafarian branch, Briggy (as he is affectionately called) often chats verses directly from the Bible, and preaches against the evils of slackness in dancehall music when performing. He attributes his unique pattern to melding together the styles of a few artists who came before him, including U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Big Youth, and Dennis Alcapone.

The Mighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group, which comprises Donald “Tabby” Shaw, Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson, and Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson, was formed in 1969 and remains together as of 2008.

Ruddy Thomas (July 12, 1951 – June 10, 2006) was a Jamaican reggae singer, musician, and recording engineer, who had his greatest successes as a singer in the late 1970s and early 1980s with lovers rock songs. He died after suffering a heart attack while performing at the Popular Song Contest Street Blocker at Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica.

Judy Mowatt (born in 1952) is a Jamaican singer. In 1978 she teamed up with Freddie McGregor to produce the critically acclaimed “Black Woman.” The album is a landmark as Judy became the first female reggae artist to produce or co-produce her own album. She followed up in 1982 with the strong “Only A Woman” album. She later became the first female to be nominated for a reggae Grammy award. The video below is a song that Judy Mowatt dedicated to Bob Marley. Enjoy.