Jamaican singer Sizzla is one of the most prolific and sought-after performers in dancehall history. Sizzla entered the scene at the cusp of the 1990s conscious movement--a trend in dancehall and reggae that moved away from ghetto thug posturing and …

One of the most acclaimed Jamaican DJs of the '90s, Buju Banton was among those in the thriving ragga dancehall scene who turned their backs on the "slackness" to focus once again on "cultural" statements and "conscious" lyrics. He was huge in Jamaic…

b. O'Neil Bryan, 11 September 1975, Seaview Gardens, Jamaica, West Indies. One of the more colourful characters on the "glam" dancehall scene, Bryan was originally known as "Dumbo the Elephant" as it was perceived that he had larger than average ears…

Future ruling ragga DJ Beenie Man cut his first single at the age of 8, and by the time he was 10 had cut a full album with producer Bunny Lee! After a period of woodshedding, he returned to regular recording in the early 90s. In 1994 he began scor…

b. Rodney Price, 12 June 1972, Riverton City, Jamaica, West Indies. Coming from a dancehall background, his father ran the Black Scorpio Sound System, and it was not long before he picked up the microphone himself. He soon became known performing on …

Born in Montego Bay Jamaica but raised in Kingston Town golden-voiced singer Jah Cure real name Siccature Alcock became involved with reggae music as a teenager and rapidly rose to fame in the late 90s only to have his meteoric climb to the top halte…

b. Beresford Hammond, 1955, St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies. Success came late to Hammond in the form of numerous awards for Best Male Vocalist during the early 90s. He joined Zap Pow as a teenager after singing on local talent shows. By the time Hamm…

Kingston-based dancehall singer Richie Spice aka Richell Bonner comes from a reggae family his brothers include DJ Snatcher Dogg vocalist Spanner Banner and producer Pliers of Chakademus and Pliers Spice began his career opening his brothers shows an…

b. Marion Hall, St. Mary's, Jamaica, West Indies. Lady Saw began chatting on the microphone at the age of 15. Being located some distance from the recording studios, she served an apprenticeship on local sound systems before appearing on vinyl. Inspi…

b. Sean Paul Henriques, 8 January 1973, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Paul was educated at Wolmers High School near the National Heroes Stadium, and the exclusive Bel Air High School in uptown Mandeville. His principal vocational research was at th…

b. William Maragh, 25 June 1963, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Supercat began his musical career at the age of seven on the Soul Imperial sound system. "Mr Walker" was produced by Winston Riley in 1981 but his recording career was put on hold when …

b. 1964, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Barrington Levy was one of the first singers to challenge the dominance of DJs in 80s dancehall reggae, although his earliest recording, under the name of the Mighty Multitude ("My Black Girl" in 1977), predat…

b. Jepther McClymont, 1974, Davey Town, Jamaica, West Indies. Luciano was one of the most promising new singer-songwriters to emerge in 1993. He began singing in his local parish church before assuming the name of Stepper John and relocating to Kings…

Reggae singer Anthony B was born Keith Blair in Clarks Town Jamaica after performing with church and school choirs throughout his youth he made his debut as a deejay with the local sound system Shaggy Hi-Power Relocating to Portmore in 1988 he befrie…

T.O.K. (Touch Of Klass) are a Jamaican vocal quartet consisting of Alex "Flexx" McCalla, Roshuan "Bassie" Clarke, Shaun Davidson and Craig Thompson. The group formed in 1993, having nurtured their vocal prowess in school and church choirs. On leaving…

b. Damian Breakspeare, 1978, Jamaica. Breakspeare's mother Cindy came to prominence when she won the Miss World title in 1977 representing Jamaica. Her notoriety led to a meeting and subsequent relationship with Bob Marley. The consanguinity was well…

Shabba Ranks was ragga's figurehead in the early '90s, delivering rude & lewd "slackness" lyrics (sample title: "Hard & Stiff") with a rough gravelly voice over equally aggressive, electronic beats. His international recording deal with Sony did not …

Morgan Heritage initially consisted of eight of Denroy Morgan's children. The line-up featured Denroy Junior (b. 1970, Jamaica, West Indies; drums) and Jeffrey (b. 1971, Jamaica, West Indies; lead guitar). The other six siblings were born in New York…

b. Everton Dennis Williams, Clarendon, Jamaica, West Indies. The 90s saw a revival of the popularity of conscientious dancehall singers, notably Garnett Silk, with whom Blender initially performed on the Destiny Outernational Sound System, and Lucian…