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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Drift Away
Single - Released June 24, 2025

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Al Campbell
Alma Roots
Barrington Levy
Barry Biggs
Basement Roots
Big Youth
Black Uhuru
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bradamon Band
Brigadier Jerry
Brown Sugar
Bujumannu
Buster Shuffle
Clive Hunt
Cornell Campbell
David Emanuel
David Marley
Dennis Bovell
Dezarie
Don Ites
Dr. Ring Ding
Dr. Woggle & The Radio
Earl Sixteen
Eek-A-Mouse
Eela Huuá
El Bosso & Die Ping Pongs
Eric Donaldson
Flying Vipers
Haile Celestial
Hub City Stompers
Israel Vibration
Jamrock
Jesse Royal
Joe Yorke
Johnny Nash
Junior Daniel
KARAMUSHI
King Mar
Kingston Echo
LITTLE JOHN
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Leroy Sibbles
Les Testarudes
Linval Thompson
Lloyd Robinson
Lone Ranger
Lukie Fwd
Lymie Murray
MARLEY
Manifiesto Ska Jazz
Melchizedek Freeman
Monkey Boots
Mystic Marley
Noin Bullet
Oi-SKALL MATES
Open Season
Oso Fyah
Paulinho Reggae
Prince Alla
RASTA DINE
Rasta
Reggae Revolution
Rico Rodriguez
Roy Panton
Sattalite
Sejedewe
Shootki
Sly Dunbar
Soop Dread
Soul Syndicate
Stranger Cole
THE MARGINADOS 2 TONE FROM L. A.
Tafarri
Tan Pickney
The Aggrovators
The Bakesys
The Busters
The Co-Operators
The Inciters
The Kingstompers
The Mercurials
The Offenders
The Skatalites
The Slackers
The Steadians
The Titanians
The Wanderers
Tinga Stewart
Toeppel Butera
Toots & The Maytals
Tosh
Tosh
Travelers All Stars
Triston Palma
U Brown
Victor Rice
Willi Williams
YG Marley
Young Israelites
aDUBta
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Rasta
YG Marley
Johnny Nash
Barrington Levy
Toots & The Maytals
The Specials
David Marley
Eek-A-Mouse
Peter Tosh
Don Carlos
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Dawn Penn
Israel Vibration
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Bob Marley
The Jets
The Upsetters
Lee "Scratch" Perry
The Skatalites
Alton Ellis
U-Roy
Bunny Wailer
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Black Uhuru
Prince Fatty
John Holt
Dezarie
The Frightnrs
LITTLE JOHN
Momonon
Jesse Royal
The Congos
Linval Thompson
Prince Buster
Monkey Boots
Sejedewe
U Brown
Leroy Sibbles
Eric Donaldson
Augustus Pablo
The Ethiopians
Desmond Dekker
Giuliano Palma
Ernest Ranglin
Derrick Harriott
Junior Byles
The Heptones
Tommy McCook
Tim Armstrong
The Skints
Joe Yorke
The Slackers
Rasta Lloyd
The Taxi Gang
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Roots Radics
The Aggrovators
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
The Twinkle Brothers
Cornell Campbell
Millie Small
Johnny Clarke
Tapper Zukie
Rico Rodriguez
Courtney John
Prince Far I
Symarip
Big Youth
Derrick Morgan
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Denny Frust
The Supersonics
Don Drummond
Laurel Aitken
Triston Palma
The Busters
Mortimer
Yabby You
Prince Jammy
Ken Parker
Dr. Ring Ding
Oi-SKALL MATES
Vieja Skina
Lord Creator
The Techniques
Dennis Bovell
Giuliano Palma & The BlueBeaters
Death Of Guitar Pop
The Oldians
Framix
Justin Hinds
Reggae Revolution
Niney The Observer
The Co-Operators
The Dynamites
Tony Scott
Lukie Fwd
Mudies' All Stars
The Dominoes