| Name of Artiste | Sources | Why We love Them... |
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Banton, Buju
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The Guiness Who's who of Reggae:
Raised in Denham Town. Received apprenticeship at the age of 13. He was the most exciting newcomer in 1991. At the outset, he recorded songs such as 'love mi browning' and 'boom bye bye' which became very controversial.
Roots Rock Reggae:
* His albumVoice of Jamaica, was released on the American Mercury label and contained songs such as Deportees and Operation Ardent which were both Jamaican hits that immediately went international.
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DJ/songwriter
* Versatile and intelligent.
* One of the few DJs who moved into the international arena without having left the dancehall.
* He elevated dancehall music.
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Beckford Theophilus
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
* He initially recorded on the World Disc label and later on his own. He got a piece of fame when his song Easy Snapping was used as background music for a television jeans advertisement.
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Pioneer of indigenous music.
* Ability to play the piano professionally.
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Big Youth
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
Began as a mechanic and later became resident DJ for a sound system.
Roots Rock Reggae:
* Much of his work was produced on his own Negusa Nagast label. A few highlights include I Pray Thee, Hell Is For Heroes, Political Confusion and Pope Paul Feel It. On many of his later albums, he sings as well as DJ.
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He brought wisdom to the DJ fraternity.
* Represented the ghetto.
* Sat standards for DJs to say something constructive.
* Cultural perspectives.
* Stylistic and artistic innovator.
* Raw and uncompromising.
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Black Uhuru
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
The group's first song was recorded on the Top Cat label. Other songs such as General Penitentiary, Shine Eye Gyal and Abortion were massive reggae sellers. The group at one point was signed to Island Records a deal which turned sour. Anthem was the album that brought them fame and earned them a Grammy.
Roots Rock Reggae:
The group experienced many changes, similarly, there were many conflicts among members of the group. Red was nominated one of the top 25 albums of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine. Black Uhuru later became a household name the world over.
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...
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Bolo, Yammie
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
He got his first exposure to music by singing on Sugar Minott's sound system. When A Man Is In Love was the first song he recorded. He later formed his own Yam Lymphony label where he produced many recordings.
Roots Rocks Reggae:
* His first singles were issued in 1986, and in the early 90s he was one of the only young singers to appear with a cultural message.
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Original and original.
* Cultural issues.
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Boothe, Ken
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
He emerged on the music scene in the early 60's and later recorded songs on the Studio one label. Everything I Owned topped UK charts in 1974 and Crying Over You also charted , reaching number 11 in February in 1975.
Roots Rock Reggae:
* Hailed from a musical family. He did stints in acting before he launched into singing.
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Impassioned and fiery vocalist.
* Emotive voice and good looks.
* Most soulful and classic reggae singers of all time.
* One of Jamaica's finest songwriters.
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Brown, Dennis I.
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Guiness:
* Regularly billed as the 'Crown Prince of Reggae'. He had many chart hits in Britain, the first of which was No man is an Island. He later co-found the DEB label.
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He delivered conscious and soul wailing love melodies.
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Burning Spear
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The Guiness Who's Who of Reggae:
* His debut song Door Peep, We are free, and Zion Higher emerged on the Bamboo and Banana labels in the UK. His recordings however, brought him little commercial success. Marcus Garvey and Slavery Days which were done in honour of Marcus Garvey, became huge local hits.
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Unique style.
* Cultural Issues.
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