Top 10 Greatest Reggae Artists of All Time

Wailers co-founder and fierce political voice of roots reggae. His solo album Equal Rights (1977) is a landmark of conscious music. Legalise It (1976) was banned by Jamaican radio yet became an anthem. Murdered in 1987 at age 42.

Star of The Harder They Come (1972), the film that introduced reggae to the world. The soundtrack album became one of the most influential records of the 1970s. First reggae artist nominated for a Grammy; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Credited with coining the word reggae in their 1968 single Do the Reggay. Fronted by Frederick Toots Hibbert, the band blended ska, soul, and gospel to create some of reggaes most joyful anthems. Pressure Drop (1969) remains an evergreen classic.

Winston Rodney is the patriarch of roots reggae, channelling Marcus Garvey pan-Africanism through hypnotic grooves. His album Marcus Garvey (1975) is considered one of the greatest reggae records ever made. Won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

Known as the Crown Prince of Reggae, he was Bob Marley's favourite singer. Recorded over 75 albums in a career spanning three decades, with hits including Money in My Pocket (1972) and Here I Come (1984). His velvet tenor voice set the standard for reggae vocals.

Miguel Collins has released over 60 albums since 1997, making him one of the most prolific artists in Jamaican music history. His album Praise Ye Jah (1997) and Kalonji (1999) established him as a dominant force in roots and dancehall reggae worldwide.

The last surviving original Wailer, Neville Livingston brought spiritual depth and harmonics to the founding trio. His solo debut Blackheart Man (1976) is a masterpiece of Rastafarian consciousness. Appointed UNESCO Peace Ambassador in 2001.

Birmingham-based UK roots reggae band who broke barriers as the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1986 for Babylon the Bandit. Their debut Handsworth Revolution (1978) is a defining document of Black British identity.

Bob Marley's youngest son carries the family legacy into the 21st century. Welcome to Jamrock (2005) hit number one in multiple countries. Won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2001 for Halfway Tree, and his hip-hop crossover Distant Relatives (2010) with Nas reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200.

Wailers co-founder and fierce political voice of roots reggae. His solo album Equal Rights (1977) is a landmark of conscious music. Legalise It (1976) was banned by Jamaican radio yet became an anthem. Murdered in 1987 at age 42.

Star of The Harder They Come (1972), the film that introduced reggae to the world. The soundtrack album became one of the most influential records of the 1970s. First reggae artist nominated for a Grammy; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Credited with coining the word reggae in their 1968 single Do the Reggay. Fronted by Frederick Toots Hibbert, the band blended ska, soul, and gospel to create some of reggaes most joyful anthems. Pressure Drop (1969) remains an evergreen classic.

Winston Rodney is the patriarch of roots reggae, channelling Marcus Garvey pan-Africanism through hypnotic grooves. His album Marcus Garvey (1975) is considered one of the greatest reggae records ever made. Won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

Known as the Crown Prince of Reggae, he was Bob Marley's favourite singer. Recorded over 75 albums in a career spanning three decades, with hits including Money in My Pocket (1972) and Here I Come (1984). His velvet tenor voice set the standard for reggae vocals.

Miguel Collins has released over 60 albums since 1997, making him one of the most prolific artists in Jamaican music history. His album Praise Ye Jah (1997) and Kalonji (1999) established him as a dominant force in roots and dancehall reggae worldwide.

The last surviving original Wailer, Neville Livingston brought spiritual depth and harmonics to the founding trio. His solo debut Blackheart Man (1976) is a masterpiece of Rastafarian consciousness. Appointed UNESCO Peace Ambassador in 2001.

Birmingham-based UK roots reggae band who broke barriers as the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1986 for Babylon the Bandit. Their debut Handsworth Revolution (1978) is a defining document of Black British identity.

Bob Marley's youngest son carries the family legacy into the 21st century. Welcome to Jamrock (2005) hit number one in multiple countries. Won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2001 for Halfway Tree, and his hip-hop crossover Distant Relatives (2010) with Nas reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200.