Sammy Dread

One of Jamaica’s most distinguished and beloved reggae artists, Sammy Dread has been noted as one of the first Reggae Legends to embrace dancehall. His passion and emotive delivery just adds further weight to his reputation. He made his recording debut in the latter half of the seventies when dancehall started to develop itself as a new musical style and his classic recordings from that era remain relevant today. He epitomizes the magical radiance of the Jamaican roots singer who delivers a visionary philosophy that yearns for a stolen past and knows that music must be both sweet and dread for people to understand.

Sammy Dread's best work has been produced in collaboration with such reggae artists as Sugar Minnot, Barrington Levy, Linval Thompson, Johnny Osbourne, Michael Profit and many more. Throughout his career he has managed to produce a series of number-one hits including; “In This Time”, "Roadblock," "Rude Boy a Fire M-16," and "Dreadlocks Girl". His songs define the vitality and rapture of reggae's golden era in the 70's and 80's.

The influence that Sammy Dread has brought to Reggae and music in general has been widely recognized. Hip Hop’s ‘Fat Boy’s’ paid homage in their smash 1983 hit, “Hardcore Reggae” when the rappers call the names of a few Jamaican music greats: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Sassafras, and Sammy Dread. He also received much recognition when he appeared in their video.

Sammy Dread is definitely a singer who best exemplifies classic dancehall vocals. Many would agree that if his voice were to never be heard from again his tunes alone would be engraved forever in the memories of countless listeners.

Fortunately this legend has continued to take a hard-edged, roughhouse approach to reggae and is back on the mic creating commotion amongst reggae fans everywhere while bringing the art of roots rock to a whole new level!