Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around the mid-1960s, characterized by a slow tempo and a heavy bassline, acting as a bridge between the ska and reggae genres. The rhythm of rocksteady is smoother and more relaxed compared to the upbeat tempo of ska, with a focus on the off-beat or backbeat rhythm, usually played by the guitar or piano. The bass and drums take a more prominent role, carrying the melody and providing a solid groove. Rocksteady also incorporated more complex vocal harmonies, with lyrics often addressing love, social issues, and the Rastafarian movement. This genre laid the groundwork for the evolution of reggae, with artists and groups like The Heptones and The Skatalites at the forefront, infusing their music with the essence of the cultural and political landscape of Jamaica at the time.

Latest Rocksteady Release
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Staring at the Rude Boys
Single - Released November 28, 2025

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Al Campbell
Alpha Blondy
Alton Ellis
Artificial Life
Augustus Pablo
Barrington Levy
Big Youth
Bluekilla
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bradamon Band
Brixton Sounds
Bulby York
Carroll Thompson
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Clinton Fearon
Collie Herb
Cornell Campbell
Courtney John
David Marley
Delroy Wilson
Dennis Bovell
Dennis Walks
Dezarie
Don Carlos
Dr. Ring Ding
Dr. Woggle & The Radio
Eek-A-Mouse
Ernest Ranglin
Flying Vipers
Frankie Paul
Gregory Isaacs
Haile Celestial
Hollie Cook
Hugo Lobo
Hussla D
I-Roy
Israel Vibration
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
Joe Yorke
John Holt
Johnny Clarke
Johnny Reggae Rub Foundation
Jr. Thomas
Junior Daniel
Keeling Beckford
Ken Boothe
King Mar
King Tubby
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Leroy Sibbles
Linval Thompson
Lone Ranger
Los Chickléts
Lukie Fwd
Lymie Murray
MARLEY
Marcia Griffiths
Max Romeo
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Melchizedek Freeman
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble
Niney The Observer
Oso Fyah
Prince Fatty
RASTA DINE
Reggae Revolution
Roger Rivas
Roots Radics
Roy Panton
Sattalite
Skaldik
Sly Dunbar
Spicy Roots
Stranger Cole
Tafarri
The Autocratics
The Bakesys
The Beat
The Busters
The Dualers
The Jets
The Kingston Lions
The Maytals
The Riddims
The Skatalites
The Slackers
Tinga Stewart
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Toots & The Maytals
Tosh
Travelers All Stars
U-Roy
Victor Rice
Vieja Skina
Westbound Train
Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra
Willi Williams
Winston Francis
Young Israelites
aDUBta
Bob Marley & The Wailers
YG Marley
Alpha Blondy
Johnny Nash
Toots & The Maytals
Barrington Levy
The Specials
Gregory Isaacs
David Marley
Don Carlos
Peter Tosh
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Groundation
Dawn Penn
The Upsetters
Eek-A-Mouse
Israel Vibration
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Bob Marley
Max Romeo
Marcia Griffiths
John Holt
Hollie Cook
The Jets
The Skatalites
U-Roy
Bunny Wailer
Black Uhuru
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
The Frightnrs
Dezarie
King Tubby
Alton Ellis
Momonon
The Congos
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Prince Buster
Monkey Boots
Ken Boothe
Bob Andy
Linval Thompson
The Beat
Leroy Sibbles
Sejedewe
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
U Brown
Eric Donaldson
Augustus Pablo
Clinton Fearon
Desmond Dekker
Ernest Ranglin
Dandy Livingstone
Prince Fatty
Frankie Paul
The Ethiopians
Giuliano Palma
Tenor Saw
Jackie Mittoo
Junior Byles
Derrick Harriott
The Heptones
Joe Yorke
Tim Armstrong
Rasta Lloyd
The Skints
Pablo Moses
Tommy McCook
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
The Dualers
The Twinkle Brothers
The Aggrovators
The Taxi Gang
Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Maytals
Tapper Zukie
Roots Radics
The Slackers
Millie Small
Delroy Wilson
Cornell Campbell
Courtney John
Symarip
Rico Rodriguez
Prince Far I
Derrick Morgan
Big Youth
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Denny Frust
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
Don Drummond
The Supersonics
Laurel Aitken
Triston Palma
Johnny Clarke
Yabby You
Mortimer
Prince Jammy
Oi-SKALL MATES
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Giuliano Palma & The BlueBeaters