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 Kingston Lions
Album - 14 Tracks - Released August 15, 2025

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Alma Roots
Barrington Levy
Basement Roots
Big Youth
Black Uhuru
Bradamon Band
Brigadier Jerry
Brixton Sounds
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
Israel Vibration
Jamrock
Jesse Royal
John Holt
Johnny Clarke
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
MARLEY
Manifiesto Ska Jazz
Marcia Griffiths
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Melchizedek Freeman
Michael Prophet
Mystic Marley
Niney The Observer
Oi-SKALL MATES
Oso Fyah
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 Kingston Lions
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
U Brown
Victor Rice
Willi Williams
Willie Lindo
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
Marcia Griffiths
Bob Marley
The Jets
The Upsetters
Lee "Scratch" Perry
The Skatalites
Alton Ellis
Bunny Wailer
U-Roy
John Holt
Prince Fatty
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Black Uhuru
The Frightnrs
Dezarie
LITTLE JOHN
Momonon
Jesse Royal
The Congos
Monkey Boots
Linval Thompson
Prince Buster
Bob Andy
U Brown
Augustus Pablo
Delroy Wilson
Eric Donaldson
Sejedewe
Leroy Sibbles
Giuliano Palma
Ernest Ranglin
Desmond Dekker
The Ethiopians
Derrick Harriott
The Heptones
Junior Byles
Jackie Mittoo
Joe Yorke
Tommy McCook
The Slackers
The Skints
Tim Armstrong
Rasta Lloyd
The Taxi Gang
Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Twinkle Brothers
The Aggrovators
Juantxo Skalari & La Rude Band
Roots Radics
Millie Small
Johnny Clarke
Cornell Campbell
Tapper Zukie
The Maytals
Rico Rodriguez
Symarip
Courtney John
Prince Far I
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Big Youth
Denny Frust
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
Derrick Morgan
Don Drummond
Triston Palma
The Supersonics
Laurel Aitken
Mortimer
The Busters
Prince Jammy
Yabby You
Dennis Bovell
Vieja Skina
Lord Creator
Oi-SKALL MATES
Ken Parker
The Techniques
Giuliano Palma & The BlueBeaters
Death Of Guitar Pop
Dr. Ring Ding
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
The Oldians
The Dynamites
Tony Scott
Justin Hinds