Equal Rights (1977) — Peter Tosh

Equal Rights (1977) by Peter Tosh is the most politically confrontational reggae record ever made, demanding cannabis decriminalization and documenting systemic racism, co-produced with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. It reached number one on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1978, a feat that outperforms #3 Marcus Garvey, which never charted in the US. Compared to #1 Exodus, it lacks universal appeal but is more aggressive in its activism, and the album includes the track “Get Up, Stand Up,” which Tosh first co-wrote with Marley. Its raw energy and chart success make it an essential reggae statement.