Famous Reggae Artists You’ll Love

Jamaica has always been a major player in the world of entertainment and culture. Despite being a small island of around 2.8 million people, Jamaica still manages to be famous worldwide for music, sports, and entertainment. Reggae music is one of those genres to come out of our small island. Reggae music combines elements of R&B and traditional African folk rhythms to talk about issues of the day in a fun and interesting manner. Reggae music has evolved into one of the most popular music genres across the world. Reggae is so popular that the name Bob Marley is now ubiquitous around the world.

It is usually the first thing people think about when the topic of Jamaica comes up. However, Bob Marley is but one of the many famous reggae artists the island has produced. Reggae has become so popular that you now have massive reggae scenes in major countries across the world. Reggae music has also evolved into many subgenres and flavors like Dancehall. When it comes to famous reggae artists, a few names come to mind. Here are some of the most famous reggae artists you’ll love:

Beenie Man

Beenie Man, a.k.a. the King of the Dancehall, is one of the most famous reggae artists in history. His feud with Bounty Killer produced some of the most popular reggae and dance music to date. One of his most famous tracks is the aptly named “King of The Dancehall.”

Bounty Killer

Bounty Killer is the next famous reggae artist in the line of famous reggae artists you will love. He is known for his aggressive lyrics and demeanor. He is also famous for his not-so-brief feud with Beenie Man. If you like a more aggressive style of reggae music, he is an option to check out.

Bob Marley

Robert Nesta Marley, a.k.a. Bob Marley is one of the most famous Jamaicans to have ever lived. He defines the entire genre of reggae music, making him a core pillar in Jamaican history and culture. He has some of the most famous reggae songs even to this day. His home on Hope Rd. in Kingston is still one of the best attractions you can see in Jamaica. Bob Marley started as part of the Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Songs like Stir It Up and Simmer Down are still some of the most popular songs in the genre even today. As someone who defines a genre, his music is appealing to the overwhelming majority of people who listen to it.

Damian Marley

Widely known as “Jr. Gong,” Damian Marley is one of the most famous sons of Bob Marley. He was supposed to be the one to take over the mantle from his dad. While he hasn’t lived up to those lofty expectations, Damon Marley is still an excellent reggae singer in his own right. He has created some of the most interesting songs to date. Welcome to Jamrock is perhaps his most iconic hit. What makes Damon Marley different is that he fuses traditional reggae music with modern dance, R&B, rock, and hip-hop. This style has resonated with many people from across the globe.

Sizzla

Miguel Orlando Collins, a.k.a. Sizzla, is one of the most famous Rastafarian reggae singers in the industry. He combined smooth melodies and deep lyrics to give you the perfect package. When you look back to the early 2000s, Sizzla has always been one of the most popular people in the industry. Some of his most prominent songs like Solid As a Rock, and Dry Cry, are some of the most famous songs from this era. If you are into old-school reggae music, he is one of the first people you should look into.

Capleton

Capleton is another Rastafarian reggae singer you might like if you are just getting introduced to the genre. His nickname is a fireman because he combines many physical effects into his real-life performances. While he’s more religious than many other reggae singers, he still speaks to the struggles of daily life on the island. His famous songs like That Day Will Come and Jah Jah City focuses on religious themes and governance as a whole. Capleton is for you if you’re looking for someone in the regular genre who will touch on religious and social views in their music.

Peter Tosh

For older generations, Peter Tosh is a mainstay in the reggae industry. He started with Bob Marley as part of the Wailers group. He also sang more about resisting the current political climate and his adherence to Rastafarianism. If you are interested in older Bob Marley songs, you will find that Peter Tosh will be there in most of those songs. He is someone you should listen to because he is one of the core pillars of traditional Jamaican reggae music.

Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy is another old-school reggae singer for people who want to go back to a time when reggae music was much simpler. He has some great hits like The Harder They Come, which still get many plays today. He is an excellent choice if you want to listen to another relatively unknown reggae singer.

Elephant Man

If you are looking to get hyped up, Elephant Man is a great person to listen to. He is quite popular in the Dancehall scene in Jamaica and around the world. What makes Elephant Man great is his unique style and positive lyrics. Elephant Man makes music for people to sing and dance to. One of his most popular songs is “Pon De River Pon De Bank.” He is the person to choose if you are looking for Jamaican music to listen to in the club or at a party where you want people to dance.

Sean Paul

Sean Paul is one of the most internationally recognized Jamaican reggae singers. He is in a category of what people would call modern reggae music. He is about fun music that is similar to hip-hop in America. He has done many collaborations with R&B and hip-hop artists from the United States. However, his song Temperature is one of the most famous in modern reggae for a reason. You will like him if you are looking for someone positive and fun to listen to. His collaborations with American singers make him more accessible to people from outside of Jamaica.

Jah Cure

Like Sean Paul,  Jah Cure, is in the same category of modern reggae music. Jah Cure puts a modern spin on the classical reggae music you know and love. One of his most famous songs is “Longing For.” Essentially, you can think of Jah Cure as a younger Capleton, giving you a modern spin on classical Rastafarian reggae music.

Lady Saw

Lady Saw is called the Queen of Dancehall for a reason. Over her career, she has solidified herself as a bona fide legend in dancehall music. Many of her collaborations with other Reggae and Dancehall singers have become legendary songs in the category that people listen to over and over again. She’s also reinvented herself as a pure church singer. So if you want someone who sings Gospel music, Lady Saw is the artist for you.

Shabba Ranks

Shabba Ranks is one of the most innovative dancehall singers of all time. He has many internationally recognized hits, making him one of the most famous old-school dancehall singers to come from Jamaica. He dominated the 1980s and 1990s, which took his stardom to another level. You will love his hits like “Mr. Loverman” and “Ting-A-Ling.” However, most of his music is iconic and you will find many great options in the mix.

These famous reggae artists are only the start of the rich musical tradition you find in Jamaica. Many other excellent options are not as famous or storied as the singers on this list. You will also find many great Dancehall singers who are part of the Jamaican musical tradition. No matter where you start, you will be happy while listening to any of these great artists.