Jamaican Slang EditorialTHE Blog for Jamaican Slang, Patois, Reggae, Rastafari, Real T’ing dem and Jamaica

In the most recent article of The Reggae Source Magazine, Camille Taylor, wrote an article “Is is Looks, the Message or the Music?”. Unfortunately, The Reggae Source does not have a content rich website yet, but it will be coming soon. Anyways, Camille Taylor wrote a great article exploring what made Bob Marley successful - his looks, message or the music. I loved this article because it was something that I have thought about many times and debated with other reggae fanatics. The article raises the question of whether Bob Marley became popular around the world due to his lighter complexion. Although many might not agree, there is a valid argument when you look at Bob’s success compared to that of reggae legends like Peter Tosh or Jacob Miller. Similar to Bob Marley, Jacob Miller died tragically at a young age (27, in a car accident), yet his music is not known around the world like Bob Marley’s. So is appearance really what made Bob Marley a worldwide success?

My conclusion and that of the article, NO! Yes, Bob Marley had more mass appeal than Peter Tosh, but one thing that Bob Marley did exceptionally was convey a message that everyone could relate to. So, no Bob Marley’s white father did not make him a better reggae artist or Jamaican Artist. Yes, his appearance might have helped him meet all of the women who bore his children, but not be a better artist. As the article discusses, Bob Marley focused a considerable amount of his music on the injustices happening in his native Jamaica and other countries he knew about. This connected with alot of people and continues to connect to people. I remember being in Salvador, Bahia-Brazil listening to people who could not speak any English sing Bob Marley songs word for word with as much passion and energy as the next guy. That is a special message attached to special music.

Go to your local reggae/rasta shop and pick up a copy of the latest issue of The Reggae Source to read the fantastic article. Soon Come

Nobody can deny that Jamaica is the capital of reggae music and the heart and soul of the reggae movement, but reggae has spread its seed around the world, just like a Rasta! I love reggae and some of my favorite artists of all time and of late are NOT from Jamaica. Here are the Top 5 Reggae Artists NOT from Jamaica.

1) Steele Pulse (England): The guys are legendary and that is why they are #1.If you have checked out Steel Pulse, you must! Check out: Bodyguard, Blue Dance Raid, and Prodigal Son.

2) Alpha Blondy (Senegal): You might know him if you are restricted to just listening to English or JAMAICAN, but this guy is legendary, especially in the French speaking world. The thing is, he can and does sing in Jamaican Patois. Yea!!!

3) Gentleman (Germany): I might catch a bit of push back from people about this selection, but this guy has made some hit tracks on classic riddims. Not only that, he sings in Patois and has out performed Jamaican artists on some riddims. Don’t believe me?? Check out: Intoxication and Dem Gone.

4) Collie Buddz (Bermuda): Hey, the list says, artists that you would never know. When Collie Buddz came out, nuff people thought he was Jamaican. Actually, Collie Buddz was born in the U.S., but he grew up in Jamaica. His tracks have been classics and he actually has a solid album. Check out

5) Maxi Priest (England): Alright, fiyah pon I-man, but yes, Maxi makes the list. Some of his songs are more reggae pop, but the guy has some classic songs. My favorite is Wild World.

There might be some others that you would imagine to make this list, but either they are not famous enough, speak with a very distinct accent or were born in Jamaica and grew up elsewhere. Kymani Marley is definitely one of those cases and his dad is the late great, Bob Marley!

I would love to hear your input and see who you think makes the Top 5.