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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Single - Released February 7, 2026

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Al Campbell
Alpha Blondy
Alton Ellis
Augustus Pablo
Barrington Levy
Bluekilla
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bradamon Band
Bulby York
Carroll Thompson
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Collie Herb
Culture
David Marley
Delroy Wilson
Dennis Bovell
Dennis Brown
Dennis Walks
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Don Carlos
Dr. Ring Ding
Dubmatix
Eek-A-Mouse
Ernest Ranglin
Flying Vipers
Frankie Paul
Glen Ricks
Gregory Isaacs
Hollie Cook
Hugo Lobo
Hussla D
I-Roy
Israel Vibration
Jackie Mittoo
Jah Thomas
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
Leroy Smart
Linval Thompson
Lollypop Lorry
Los Chickléts
Lukie Fwd
Lymie Murray
Marcia Griffiths
Max Romeo
Melchizedek Freeman
Mr. Freak Ska
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble
Open Season
Oso Fyah
Prince Fatty
RASTA DINE
Rasta Dno
Reggae Revolution
Rootikal Foundation
Roots Radics
Roy Panton
Royal Messenjah
Soulcraft
Spicy Roots
Stranger Cole
Tafarri
Tenor Saw
The Autocratics
The Bandulus
The Beat
The Busters
The Dualers
The Ethiopians
The Kingston Lions
The Maytals
The Mercurials
The Slackers
The Utopians
The Wailers
Tinga Stewart
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Toots & The Maytals
Tosh
Triston Palma
U Brown
U-Roy
Victor Rice
Westbound Train
Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra
Winston Francis
Young Israelites
aDUBta
Bob Marley & The Wailers
YG Marley
Alpha Blondy
Johnny Nash
Barrington Levy
The Specials
David Marley
Gregory Isaacs
Toots & The Maytals
Peter Tosh
Groundation
Don Carlos
Dawn Penn
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Dennis Brown
Culture
Israel Vibration
The Upsetters
Eek-A-Mouse
The Wailers
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Max Romeo
Bob Marley
The Jets
John Holt
Hollie Cook
The Skatalites
U-Roy
Marcia Griffiths
Bunny Wailer
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Black Uhuru
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Dezarie
The Frightnrs
Alton Ellis
King Tubby
The Congos
The Beat
Linval Thompson
Monkey Boots
Bob Andy
Ken Boothe
Prince Buster
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
Augustus Pablo
Leroy Sibbles
Sejedewe
U Brown
Eric Donaldson
Clinton Fearon
Dandy Livingstone
Prince Fatty
Giuliano Palma
Frankie Paul
Ernest Ranglin
Junior Byles
The Heptones
Derrick Harriott
Desmond Dekker
Jackie Mittoo
Tim Armstrong
The Skints
Rasta Lloyd
Joe Yorke
Tommy McCook
Pablo Moses
Triston Palma
The Ethiopians
The Dualers
The Aggrovators
The Taxi Gang
The Twinkle Brothers
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
Cornell Campbell
The Maytals
Millie Small
Tenor Saw
Roots Radics
Delroy Wilson
Tapper Zukie
The Slackers
Prince Far I
Rico Rodriguez
Symarip
Courtney John
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Denny Frust
Big Youth
Derrick Morgan
The Supersonics
Laurel Aitken
Lollypop Lorry
Don Drummond
Mortimer
Yabby You
Susan Cadogan
Iba Mahr