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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WE'LL RISE AGAIN - MIX B
Single - Released January 3, 2026

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