King Jammy

Artist Playlists

About King Jammy

A leading producer of computerized, digital reggae music in the 1980s, King Jammy built his reputation with his own Kingston-based sound system before joining the ranks of King Tubby’s studio team. In the late '70s, he began to release his own productions, including Black Uhuru's acclaimed debut album, while developing artists in the nascent dancehall scene. In 1985, he recorded the ubiquitous riddim "Under Me Sleng Teng" for DJ Wayne Smith. Built around a pre-set rhythm from a Casiotone keyboard, it opened the music to a slew of up-and-coming producers and artists, setting the stage for the ragga dancehall revolution. Jammy’s records and sound system went on to dominate reggae music for much of the remainder of the decade and on into the '90s.

HOMETOWN
Montego Bay, Jamaica
BORN
1947
GENRE
Reggae

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