Reggae

Sole of a nation: how Clarks became Jamaica’s favourite footwear

There has long been a unique connection between the Somerset-based shoe-maker and the Caribbean island. It goes way beyond shoes - as a new edition of book Clarks in Jamaica demonstrates

Lauren Cochrane

11, May, 2021 @5:01 AM

‘MI5 were tapping our phones’: UB40 on starting out, falling out and losing millions

The Brummie reggae stars are back, but in two rival groups. They talk about clocking up 39 hits, partying hard and the bitter split

Graeme Thomson

06, May, 2021 @5:00 AM

‘A blur of legs, arms and adrenaline’: the astonishing history of two-tone

As a new exhibition documents the UK ska-pop sound, stars including the Specials, Elvis Costello and Pauline Black recall how it opened up music, fashion and racial understanding

Dave Simpson

30, Apr, 2021 @5:00 AM

On the road with the trailblazing record label 2 Tone

Chalkie Davies’s 1979 shot of musicians from Madness, the Specials and the Selecter captures the cultural power of the emerging ska scene

Killian Fox

25, Apr, 2021 @6:00 AM

Letter: Bunny Wailer obituary

Philip May writes: His other Grammy, in 1995, for a collection of roots and political songs, Crucial, celebrated his willingness to use music to advance social change.
Wailer produced great dance material: Rock’n’Groove deserves to be a classic

Philip May

18, Apr, 2021 @4:08 PM

Rihanna's 30 greatest singles – ranked!

With a rumoured ninth album on the way – the follow-up to 2016’s Anti – we examine Rihanna’s singles and pick the 30 best

Alexis Petridis

01, Apr, 2021 @2:12 PM

Sean Paul's teenage obsessions: 'My Coventry grandmother cooked me bubble and squeak'

Ahead of two new albums this spring, the dancehall superstar recalls the poignancy of his first love, and how water polo took his mind off his imprisoned father

As told to Dave Simpson

11, Mar, 2021 @4:00 PM

Bunny Wailer obituary

Founder member of the Wailers whose debut solo album Blackheart Man is regarded as one of reggae’s finest

Peter Mason

04, Mar, 2021 @12:56 PM

The brilliant Bunny Wailer pushed reggae forward on his own terms

The Jamaican star, who has died aged 73, returned to his roots after global fame with Bob Marley to deepen and diversify reggae with a powerful sense of creative freedom

Lloyd Bradley

03, Mar, 2021 @4:49 PM

Bunny Wailer, last surviving founder member of the Wailers, dies aged 73

Reggae artist and three-time Grammy winner found worldwide fame alongside Bob Marley in the early 1970s

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

02, Mar, 2021 @5:21 PM

U-Roy obituary

Jamaican deejay who brought the lyrical art of ‘toasting’ to prominence