Keith Poppin is one of the most popular reggae veterans of all time, in Jamaica. Whilst he has released albums across the world, in the U.S. and U.K., his true success has been in his home country. He started out in the seventies, when he released his first album.

Keith Poppin was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He has been making enjoyable music since the seventies, and is waiting on the release of his newest album this year! There really is no stopping him.

Keith spent most of his career touring and recording around his home town and the rest of Jamaica, these were usually sell-out shows. He has changed slightly, since very roughly cutting his 1972 LP’s. He melds certain styles of rhythm and blues with more traditional reggae sounds, to bring a unique and electrifying performance, wherever he goes.

Keith Poppin had all of his older tracks re-mastered by the audio recording legend Jerry Andrews, the man responsible for mixing most of the best reggae in the world. His albums have sold many copies in his home land, but have not usually gone on general sale in other countries. It is, however, not unusual to find ’die hard’ United States and United Kingdom collectors on eBay purchasing his work from $75 and even up to $400, or more.

The best place to buy any music by Keith Poppin is in Jamaica. If you take a vacation over there, or even live there, it is a very good idea to go and check out the world famous record shop, The Derrick Harriott Record Store, located at the Twin Gates Plaza in Kingston. They stock a huge range of Keith Poppin’s music, even lots of his older and much rarer productions.

At present, Keith Poppin has released a re-mastered compilation C.D. of his songs from 1970-1979, entitled ’Get Together’. He is releasing a new album, called ’Tough’ later on this year. Keith is even still recording new tracks every day, so look out for more records as the years progress.

Omeil, or ‘The Lava Lady’, is seen as the best female reggae artist ever to release an album. She began her career early in the year 2001, when she recorded her first commercial single known as ‘Fret’. The single was not an instant success, although she managed to sell just over five thousand copies herself. Omeil’s first album entitled ’Reggae Sweetheart’ was downloaded over 150,000 times, and is still being sold today. She is also the most successful female reggae artist to date.

It was mainly in the year 2003 that Omeil’s career really took off. She released a single entitled ‘Hot Girls’ which was an overnight success. People could not get enough of her unique, yet traditional dancehall reggae sound. After her single had sold so well, she recorded and released her debut album, which held the number 20 position in Italy for a number of weeks, and stayed in their top 100 list for even longer.

It was in the year 2003 that ‘The Lava Girl’ was awarded the prestigious ‘Hip-Hop Palace’- Best New Female Reggae Artist, and the Most Promising Artist awards. Omeil has gone from strength to strength, recording further singles, followed by more albums.

Omeil’s influences do not follow the ‘norms’ of reggae music. Her musical influences include artists like Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Lady Saw, and some genuine reggae legends such as Beenie Man. Omeil’s grandfather played a massive role in her musical life as he mentored and encouraged her throughout her life.

Omeil has featured in many publications across Jamaica, the U.K., U.S., Canada, but most of all Italy. Most of Omeil’s success has been in Italy and some of the surrounding European nations.

Currently Omeil is due to release her newest album, simply titled ’Lava Lady’. She is also working as the head of a division of Terrelonge Recordings.

One of the biggest names in reggae, Carlton Livingston was born in St. Mary, Jamaica, which is a trait shared by hundreds of popular reggae artists. Carlton Livingston was number four, in a family of six children. He started singing at a very early age as a choir singer in the local church of England. His sister were also choir singers and his mother was an organist.

Music was a huge part of Carlton Livingston’s life ever since he was a very young boy. His family supported him all the way to the top. His first semi-hit was recorded in 1978, called ’Tale of Two Cities’. The song was released in England and did hold a low place in the charts, for a short time. Carlton Livingston was soon approached by a man called Leon Symoie, from ’Trillseekers’ record label.

After being signed onto ’Trillseekers’, Livingston recorded enough songs to release his first LP, ’Soweto’. The album was a good success, but still not brilliant. He then looked to bigger things. Carlton moved and started a radio broadcast. He was picked up by Tony Walcott, who took them to reggae and D.J. training sessions, which led to huge ’underground’ success. In this time, in 1979, Carlton Livingston created and recorded over forty songs.

After his underground success, Carlton Livingston looked to the big time, recording tracks like ’Tricks’ and ’Hot Summer’. These were moderate hits in the U.K. and U.S. until 1982 when he went on a tour around North America, performing at some of the biggest and most popular venues across the nation. He then became hugely successful, performing at venues across London, the U.S. and Canada.

It is widely believed that Carlton Livingston is one of the best singers and songwriters of the eighties and early nineties. This has been demonstrated by the large number of other reggae artists that have performed and recorded cover versions of his songs. Carlton Livingston is now recording new material to be released in Jamaica later this year, but he is not as young as he used to be, so he is taking it easy at the moment.

Anthony Red Rose was born in St. Mary’s, named Anthony C. Cameron. He was brought up in St. Catherine in Jamaica where he practiced his music as an alter server at the local Catholic Church in this Spanish village.

Whilst Anthony Red Rose is a fairly new name on the reggae scene, he recorded his first single in 1980, although it was not picked up by any record company until a little later. The one single to ‘make his career’, which still sells copies to this day, was called ‘Tempo’. The song joins the ranks of some of Bob Marley’s less commercial songs, and is sold on a compilation C.D. containing songs from some of the giants of popular reggae.

‘How Yu Fi Sey Dat?’ and ‘Raggedy Joe’ are the names of the two record labels that Anthony Red Rose started up. He has recorded songs with some of the latest and greatest reggae artists of all time, including Sly Dunbar and Beenie Man. He has also spent a lot of time writing and producing rhythms and tracks to back some of the most famous ‘underground’ reggae artists, including The Fire House Crew and Danny Brownie.

Anthony Red Rose has now released his own unique brand of reggae music all over the world. His sales are shooting through the roof, and his recording and production companies are worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars. His is a true ‘rags to riches’ story, coming from a small Spanish village, to owning several recording and production companies.

At present, Anthony Red Rose is focusing more on his recording and producing career. The reggae scene, as it is today, is not what it used to be, meaning there is less space for reggae veterans like Anthony Red Rose.

I have been trying to compile a list of my favourite reggae tunes for you all but to tell the truth I think I am on mission impossible with that one. My laptop is completely full with reggae music from all over the world and it would take me more than the rest of my life to listen to it.

What I am doing for you though is narrowing my list down so I can at least introduce you to some more new stuff soon. In doing so I came across a tune that would certainly figure in my top 5 reggae tunes of all time, it’s called ‘one good spliff’ by none other than Ziggy Marley.

I posted recently about songs that stick with you through summer and this track reminds me of happy summer days lazing around in the park.  I dedicate this to Stacy White, Shaun Alexis, Luis Oreamuno and all the guys at Cottons Rum Shack as they put up with me playing this continually!

Enjoy one good spliff!

Part of the Reggae Road Block tour, Prophet Benjamin has established himself on his reggae journey with his most popular tune, ‘Field of Weed. Defining his excalibur authority chanting tunes on the ever-touchy subject of marijuana smoking.

Hailing from rural south Trinidad, Prophet Benjamin belts out heart felt melodies on a wide array of subjects, from women attracted to ‘pretty boys’, love and the HIV virus…in the hit, Delilah.

Delilah, a quite controversial song; but a reality in today’s world that is rampant with the AIDS virus. Each lyrical sentence warns people about not getting carried away with the physical, when we must also consider the diseases that exist.

Dubbed as a ‘real congo bongo’, Prophet Benjamin has injected the reggae vibe into the Caribbean, sharing stages with Marlon Asher, Gyptian and the Reggae Road Block team. Capturing crowds with his sensational voice, he is living his musical dream by entertaining crowds and captivating stageshows.

His musical style is, however, not the typical laid-back reggae, but more of an upbeat vibe…that exudes hyped-up vibe. A part of the reggae all-stars, he continued to captivate audiences worldwide.

Written by Jamie Jaggernauth.