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 Invasion
Single - Released October 31, 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
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
Gregory Isaacs
Groundation
Haile Celestial
Hollie Cook
Hugo Lobo
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
Ken Boothe
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
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble
Niney The Observer
Oso Fyah
Peter Broggs
Peter Tosh
Prince Fatty
RASTA DINE
Roger Rivas
Roots Radics
Roy Panton
Sattalite
Skaldik
Sly Dunbar
Soul Syndicate
Spicy Roots
Stranger Cole
Tafarri
Tenor Saw
The Beat
The Busters
The Co-Operators
The Inciters
The Jets
The Kingston Lions
The Maytals
The Meditations
The Riddims
The Skatalites
The Slackers
Tinga Stewart
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
YG Marley
Alpha Blondy
Johnny Nash
Toots & The Maytals
The Specials
Barrington Levy
David Marley
Gregory Isaacs
Don Carlos
Peter Tosh
Groundation
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Dawn Penn
Israel Vibration
Eek-A-Mouse
The Upsetters
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Marcia Griffiths
Bob Marley
Hollie Cook
The Jets
The Skatalites
Alton Ellis
U-Roy
Bunny Wailer
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
John Holt
Black Uhuru
The Frightnrs
Dezarie
LITTLE JOHN
Jesse Royal
Momonon
The Congos
Linval Thompson
Lee "Scratch" Perry
The Beat
Prince Buster
Monkey Boots
Ken Boothe
Bob Andy
Jamaican Reggae Cuts
Sejedewe
U Brown
Leroy Sibbles
Augustus Pablo
Eric Donaldson
Delroy Wilson
The Ethiopians
Desmond Dekker
Giuliano Palma
Ernest Ranglin
Prince Fatty
Tenor Saw
Derrick Harriott
Junior Byles
Jackie Mittoo
The Heptones
Tommy McCook
Tim Armstrong
Rasta Lloyd
The Skints
Joe Yorke
The Taxi Gang
Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Aggrovators
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
The Twinkle Brothers
Roots Radics
Millie Small
Cornell Campbell
The Slackers
Tapper Zukie
The Maytals
Symarip
Rico Rodriguez
Courtney John
Prince Far I
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Derrick Morgan
Denny Frust
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
Big Youth
Don Drummond
The Supersonics
Laurel Aitken
Triston Palma
Mortimer
Johnny Clarke
Yabby You
Prince Jammy
Dr. Ring Ding
Giuliano Palma & The BlueBeaters
Vieja Skina
The Techniques
Oi-SKALL MATES
Death Of Guitar Pop
Dennis Bovell
Melbourne Ska Orchestra