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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Hard Times
Single - Released October 10, 2025

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Al Campbell
Alma Roots
Alpha Blondy
Artificial Life
Barrington Levy
Big Youth
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bradamon Band
Brixton Sounds
Brown Sugar
Bujumannu
Bulby York
Bunny Wailer
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Collie Herb
Cornell Campbell
David Marley
Delroy Wilson
Dennis Bovell
Dezarie
Don Carlos
Dr. Ring Ding
Dr. Woggle & The Radio
Earl Sixteen
Eek-A-Mouse
Groundation
Haile Celestial
Hollie Cook
Hussla D
I-Roy
Israel Vibration
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
Jamrock
Jesse Royal
John Holt
Johnny Clarke
Johnny Reggae Rub Foundation
Jr. Thomas
Junior Daniel
Keeling Beckford
King Mar
LITTLE JOHN
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Leroy Sibbles
Leroy Smart
Linval Thompson
Lone Ranger
Los Chickléts
Lukie Fwd
Lymie Murray
MARLEY
Marcia Griffiths
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Melchizedek Freeman
Michael Prophet
Niney The Observer
Oso Fyah
Peter Broggs
Peter Tosh
Prince Alla
Prince Fatty
RASTA DINE
Rasta
Ray Watts
Rico Rodriguez
Roger Rivas
Roots Radics
Roy Panton
Sattalite
Skaldik
Sly Dunbar
Soul Syndicate
Spicy Roots
Stranger Cole
Tafarri
Tenor Saw
The Beat
The Co-Operators
The Inciters
The Jets
The Kingston Lions
The Maytals
The Meditations
The Riddims
The Skatalites
The Slackers
Toeppel Butera
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Tommy McCook
Toots & The Maytals
Tosh
Tosh
Travelers All Stars
U-Roy
Victor Rice
Vieja Skina
Willi Williams
Winston Francis
Young Israelites
aDUBta
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Rasta
YG Marley
Alpha Blondy
Johnny Nash
Barrington Levy
Toots & The Maytals
The Specials
David Marley
Don Carlos
Peter Tosh
Dawn Penn
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Groundation
Israel Vibration
Eek-A-Mouse
The Upsetters
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Bob Marley
Marcia Griffiths
The Jets
Hollie Cook
Alton Ellis
The Skatalites
Bunny Wailer
U-Roy
Prince Fatty
Dezarie
John Holt
Black Uhuru
The Frightnrs
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
LITTLE JOHN
Momonon
The Congos
Jesse Royal
Monkey Boots
Bob Andy
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Prince Buster
The Beat
Linval Thompson
U Brown
Leroy Sibbles
Sejedewe
Eric Donaldson
Augustus Pablo
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
Delroy Wilson
Desmond Dekker
Ernest Ranglin
Giuliano Palma
The Ethiopians
Jackie Mittoo
Derrick Harriott
Tenor Saw
Junior Byles
The Heptones
Joe Yorke
The Skints
Rasta Lloyd
Tommy McCook
Tim Armstrong
The Aggrovators
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
Roots Radics
The Taxi Gang
The Twinkle Brothers
Cornell Campbell
Tapper Zukie
The Slackers
Millie Small
The Maytals
Prince Far I
Courtney John
Rico Rodriguez
Symarip
Derrick Morgan
Big Youth
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Denny Frust
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
The Supersonics
Don Drummond
Laurel Aitken
Triston Palma
Prince Jammy
Mortimer
Yabby You
The Busters
Johnny Clarke
Dennis Bovell
Lord Creator
Oi-SKALL MATES
Vieja Skina
Death Of Guitar Pop
Giuliano Palma & The BlueBeaters
Ken Parker
Melbourne Ska Orchestra