1980s

Sister Nancy is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ. One of her most famous songs is "Bam Bam" (1982) which is labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by BBC and a classic to many.

Photo Moment: Eek-a-mouse (taken by Beth Lesser in 1983) View his profile here: http://jamaicansmusic.com/artists/profile/Eek_A_Mouse

Josey Wales began moonlighting for Henry 'Junjo' Lawes' Volcano sound system, and in 1983, he issued his first-ever single on the Volcano label, "Baby Come Home."

Frankie Paul's first major hit, the Henry "Junjo" Lawes-produced "Worries in the Dance," aligned him with the emerging dancehall sound in 1983.

Linval Thompson produced his biggest hit in the 80s, Big Ship by Freddie McGregor. Big Ship was, arguably, the biggest reggae song of 1983.

Beenieman’s debut album was 'The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder' released in 1983.

Half Pint's 1983 Jamaican number-one song "Winsome" was covered by The Rolling Stones in 1986 although it was renamed "Too Rude" for their Dirty Work album.

Half Pint’s first single “Sally", was released in 1983 and was a hit in Jamaica.

Yellowman became the first Dancehall artist to be signed by a major American record label- Columbia Records -which resulted in the release of his 'KING YELLOWMAN' album in 1984.

Barrington Levy had a major hit in 1984 with the single "Under Me Sensi" produced by Paul "Jah Screw" Love.

In 1984 Saxon MC Papa Levi became the first UK Reggae artiste to top the Jamaican charts with Mi God Mi King - a record that popularized "fast style", so named because of its rapid-fire lyrics.

Nadine Sutherland did her early recordings for Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label, the best remembered cut being Until in 1984, written by Willie Lindo.

Josey Wales shared an album with Yellowman in 1984, Yellowman versus Josey Wales: Two Giants Clash.

The album 'LEGEND' -the greatest hits by Bob Marley and the Wailers was release in 1984 and to date is the best selling Reggae record of all time.

The very first Grammy award for Best Reggae Recording was awarded to Jamaican group Black Uhuru in 1985 for their 'Anthem' album

Anthony RedRose was one of the first artistes to record at the studio that King Tubby opened in Waterhouse. There he recorded a huge hit in 1985 called "Tempo".

Cocoa Tea’s first album, ‘Weh Dem a Go Do...Can't Stop Coco Tea’, was released in 1985 and compiled many of his previous successes.

Shabba Ranks initially called himself Co-Pilot. Under that name, he cut his first single, "Heat Under Sufferer's Feet," in 1985.

Jimmy Cliff won the Grammy award for Best Reggae Album (1985) for "Cliff Hanger"

In 1986 Tiger had one of his biggest successes in Jamaica with the record 'No Wanga Gut'