Although the most known Jamaican artists sing reggae, the famous island’s art scene encompasses much more than this. Jamaica has a grim history when it comes to Slavery, murders, and inhumane treatment for years. The unfortunate and unfair treatment Jamaicans have been subjected to deeply affected the people.

After all, they are among the friendliest people in the world. History and art theory taught us that pain, suffering, heartbreak, and art are intertwined. Many Jamaican artists have focused on the bright side of life. Although, sad notes can be heard and seen throughout some Jamaican artwork.

Jamaican artists who influenced the art world.

Famous or Underappreciated Jamaican Artists

Although prolific, Robert Nesta Marleys is not the only Jamaican artists that deserve our attention. The international music and visual arts have influenced the small island in more ways than we can imagine.

Jamaican Music Artists

Reggae is by far the most popular Jamaican music genre, but it is far from the only one. To accurately portray the evolution of modern Jamaican music and its artists, we are going to take the chronological approach.

It’s important to note that few artists contained themselves to a single music genre. Below are some of the artists who helped shape Jamaican music

Jamaican Folk Artists

Folk music can be traced back to hundreds of years ago. Even an untrained ear can note the African and European influences while still recognizing its many particularities. Mento is another subdivision of folk music, an unpretentious and enjoyable genre that is a continuous inspiration for modern-day artists.

Few genres are as soothing and upbeat like Jamaican folk and Calypso music. The music were made famous by the late Jamaican music artist Harry Belafonte. With hit songs like Day-O, Jump in the Line and Island in the Sun to name a few.

Jamaican Ska Artists

Mento, Calypso, Jazz, Rhythm, and Blues all contributed to the famous Ska genre. It can be easily identified by the bass line, off-beat rhythms, and sit down while a Ska song is playing. Even though modern Ska has a faster tempo and diverse influences, it also kept its basic features. Such as the strong bass lines, upbeat and exciting rhythm, and positive messages.

Ska was the most famous music genre in Jamaica in the ‘60s. Made popular by Prince Buster, Clement Dodd, and Duke Reid, the genre also helped develop current Jamaican music. Other noteworthy Ska Jamaican artists include Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, the Skatalites, Jimmy Cliff, or Derrick Morgan.

Jamaican Rocksteady Artists

Rocksteady is another Jamaican music that put the island on the map. Rocksteady was inspired by R&B, Jazz, Ska, Latin American, and African drumming. The Gaylads, the Maytals, the Paragons, or the Heptones are the most known rocksteady Jamaican artists.

Jamaican Reggae Artists

Developed in the 1960s, reggae is naturally associated with Jamaica. The genre was first named by the group, “Toots and the Maytals” in their famous song, “Do the Reggay”.  It is influenced by mento, jazz, R&B, ska, rocksteady, calypso, and African beats.

Famous reggae music artists include Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Brurning Spear, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Sean Paul and so much more.  he Marley family has a significance impact to the reggae music world.

Reggae artist Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in came together in 1963. Bob Marley passed away in 1981 at only 36 years, but Reggae Music continues to gain popularity. Skip and Daniel Bambaata Marley, Bob’s grandsons, prove that Marleys are here to stay in the music industry. Other current Jamaican artists that play reggae music are Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, or Shaggy – to name a few.

Jamaican Dub Artists

Dub plate was initially considered to be a sub-genre of reggae, but it took a life of its own. As the name suggests, this musical art form

Dub helped music artists shape the modern jungle drum & bass dubstep, being the main influence of this genre. You can hear the dub influences in multiple Punk Subgenres, Pop, Hip Hop, Disco and House Techno Music.

Jamaican Dancehall Artists

Dancehall originated in the ‘70s as a variation of reggae music with a quicker tempo. Jamaican artists that made dancehall famous in its early years are Yellowman, Eek-a-Mouse, or Moti Giat. The genre quickly separated from reggae starting with the mid-’80s. Digital dancehall, also known as ragga, further increased the tempo of the music.

Famous 21st-century Jamaican artists that took Reggae to the next level. These artist includes, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Elephant Man, Chronixx and Mavado. Then there’s Vybz Kartel, Koffee, Queen Ifrica, Tanya Stephen and so much more. Alkaline Jamaican artist is particularly appreciated for his dancehall tunes, and so is Spice.

Jamaican Visual Artists

Even though music is the most known Jamaican art form, the island is a place where all arts thrive.

Kenneth Abendana Spencer

Ken Spencer was a self-taught painter who used his talent to make some extra pocket money as a child. After moving to the United Kingdom for a few years and experiencing the European art he returned to his homeland. After years in the UK he got a better understand of the simplicity of the Jamaican way of life.

Ras Daniel Heartman

Born Lloyd George Roberts in Kingston, Heartman is one of the most known Jamaican artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s. As Rastafarian religious leader, Ras Heartman had the chance to contribute to the Jamaican lifestyle in reggae music portrays. His art seem like it was inspired by reggae music, but it actually predates this music genre.

The artwork of Ras Daniel Hartman was used as album covers and distributed over and over again worldwide. However, the underappreciated Jamaican artist never gained popularity. He spent a part of his life living in the streets, but never gave up drawing. Heartman spent his last years in Tanzania, as the Rastafari religion emphasizes the connection with the African continent.

Barrington Watson

Barrington Watson is one of the few Jamaican artists that got the credit he deserved during his lifetime. His art is inspired by the day-to-day Jamaican life but has modern influences as well. After all, the artist followed the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom. After traveling the world, Watson finally returned to Jamaica where he continued to work on his art.

Special mention: Wilfred Limonious

Wilfred Limonious is the most popular and appreciated Jamaican album illustrator. He emerged in the ‘80s as a Sonic Sounds illustrator but quickly parted ways from the label. His amusing and unconventional style for that time was the perfect fit for the emerging Dancehall music genre. In hindsight, Limonious played his part in accurately portraying multiple Jamaican music genres and artists.

The international art scene would definitely be different today without the influence of Jamaican artists. We hope our article clears up some misconceptions about Jamaican music and visual arts. Our goal was to sheds some light on the contributors of many Jamaican to the international Art and Music world.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.