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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They Call It Ska
Album - 7 Tracks - Released December 5, 2025

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