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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The Mighty Rootsmen
Album - 10 Tracks - Released July 25, 2025

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