Derrick Harriott is a towering figure in the history of Jamaican music, whose career spans the evolutionary arc of the island's music from the ska era through rocksteady to reggae. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 6, 1939, Harriott stepped into the limelight as a singer, producer, and the founder of the influential record label, Crystal Records. With a career launching in the early 1960s, he initially gained fame as a member of the Jiving Juniors (with Eugene Dwyer, Herman Sang, and Maurice Wynter) before taking the bold step of embarking on a solo career.

A master of adapting to the shifting tides of musical styles, Harriott's smooth vocal and keen ear for melody saw him creating timeless hits across different eras, including the rocksteady anthem "The Loser" and reggae classics like "Groovy Situation." His work as a producer helped shape the sounds of the genre, fostering the careers of a multitude of artists. Derrick Harriott's contributions to reggae are not just limited to his own performances but extend to an unrivaled catalogue of productions and collaborations with other renowned artists, as reflected in his compilations like "Reggae Originals: Dobby Dobson, Derrick Harriot and The Maytones" and the retrospective "The Donkey Years - 1961-1965." His album "Sings Jamaican Rocksteady-Reggae" is a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal in the music scene. Beyond the timeless nature of his hits, albums such as "Checkin' Out the Hits" and "14 Chartbuster Hits" showcase Harriott's knack for reimagining and refreshing the music of Jamaica for audiences across the globe.

Genres

Jamaican Ska

Rocksteady

Related Artists

Alton Ellis

John Holt

Desmond Dekker

Gregory Isaacs

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The Wailers

Jimmy Cliff

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Horace Andy

The Skatalites

Prince Buster

The Heptones

Latest Release

Reggae Originals: Dobby Dobson, Derrick Harriot and The Maytones

Derrick Harriott•

The Maytones

Album - 25 Tracks - Released March 17, 2023