From its very inception in 1960s Jamaica, reggae music has been heralded for bringing a voice to the oppressed; telling stories for those who are otherwise unable to express themselves, and highlighting the essence of Jamaica. Its smooth, steady beat lends itself to endless manipulation, making it a versatile genre. This flexibility has fostered a surge of new wave reggae artists who expertly underline the singularity of Jamaican culture through their diverse styles and signatures. As the industry grows, upcoming artists breathe life into it, hoping to record music not only for popularity but for posterity. In no particular order, the following artists have caught our eye as the Top 10 Reggae Artists To Watch in 2021.
Jaz Elise
Jaz Elise has been on our radar for some time. From her bright hair and personality to her velvety voice, she has all the makings of a huge star. Her debut single, “For You”, has amassed over 480k views on YouTube since its release in 2018. The budding musician has been featured by BBC Radio 1Xtra both individually and as an artist on the Rock & Groove Riddim. Jaz Elise released two singles in 2019, and her highly-anticipated “Fresh and Clean (Remix)” with Govana was nominated by Dubwise Jamaica as the ‘Best Reggae and Dancehall Collaboration’ in 2020. Notably, she signed an international deal under the collaboration between RCA Records and In.Digg.Nation Collective in the same year. With all three of her labelmates releasing complete projects within months of each other, we are hoping to see new music from Jaz Elise in 2021 and are excited to watch her career take flight.
Yohan Marley
Hailing from a line of reggae royalty, Yohan Marley is making waves with his interpretation of reggae music. The Jamaican-American artist draws inspiration from many genres to create a more global sound, diverting from the path his father and grandfather walked. Making his debut on his older brother’s single, “Burn it Down” (with Jo Mersa Marley) in 2016, Marley is no stranger to the studio. He released “Brickell” (featuring Jo Mersa) and the wildly popular “Goodbyes” in 2020, acting as a producer on the latter. His talent earns him a place on this list, and we’ll keep an eye out to see what he does next.
Mortimer
If Mortimer’s silky voice sounds familiar, it’s because he is versed in the genre of reggae, and in fact released his debut album in 2014. Since then, he has been building his repertoire with features on songs like Protoje’s “Protection” and “Truths and Rights”, as well as through the release of singles. 2019 saw the release of his sophomore EP, Fight the Fight, which gained him recognition ‘Lightning‘ fast with collective streams that totaled over 10 million on YouTube alone. Since then, Mortimer’s new followers – and CARIB VOXX – have been eager to sample some new material. Thankfully, the artist recently revealed his plans to release his third album this year, possibly in April or May. Whatever he has planned, we have faith that Mortimer will exceed expectations, blowing us away with ‘Style and Grace’.
Answele
Answele is a singer and songwriter who hails from Trelawny. He makes upbeat, feel-good music with the aim of exuding positivity in what can become a burdened space. Like many contemporary Jamaican artists, his sound has ‘No Limit’ and extends beyond the borders of any strict genre. Currently 24 years old, Answele got his first big break touring with I-Octane in 2018 and has certainly not dropped the ball since then. His 2020 single, “Jah is In Control”, put him in the spotlight once again, and has earned him a place on this year’s Reggae Artists To Watch list.
Yeza
Yeza boasts a deep, powerful voice that she uses to send her message of unity, justice, and consciousness. Although she is no stranger to the reggae scene, Yeza turned heads in 2020 with her “Is It Because I’m Black” remix (with Rory Stone Love), released in July of that year. She was also a contributing artist on “REBEL CODE”, a track with Turbulence, Blvk H3ro, and Monkey Marc that has amassed over 160k views on YouTube, and has been added to BET Soul worldwide rotation in the same year. Her lyrical dexterity and freestyle skills are also impressive, and we have our eyes peeled to see what she accomplishes in 2021.
Indie Allen
Indie Allen’s music alludes to classic roots reggae, heavily featuring drums, bass guitar, and trumpets. His lyrics and videos tend to follow a strong storyline and are based on topical issues. This evaluation by no means discredits the artist’s capacity for versatility. His reggaeton track with Chris Tijera and DJ Syke45, titled “Lose Control”, is a testament to that fact. In addition to his soothing vocal qualities, Allen is an adept musician, who has performed at the 2020 staging of the Jamaica Rum Festival. His single “Revival” was featured on Pandora’s reggae playlist in the same year. With all this and more under his belt, we expect great things from Allen in the year to come.
Joby Jay
Joby Jay is a young “Queen” in her own right. Since the 2019 release of her debut single, “Big Girl Ting”, this new artist has captivated the ears of her listeners with a smooth, lilting sound. Her lyrics promote the importance of self-love and of knowing your worth, especially as a black woman. Joby Jay has performed on Harry J’s Couch Series and Kingston Creative Virtual Artwalk within the last year. With her fourth single, “Headache” being released in November of 2020, 2021 looks to be a promising year for the young songbird and we eagerly await her next moves.
Kxng Izem
Beginning his career as an artist in 2017, Kxng Izem (formerly styled ‘Dmitri Izem’) is known for his genre-bending flows. His music is an excellent example of the increasingly blurred lines between contemporary reggae and dancehall. His own words, “Roots man like Proto, lyrical like Teacha” perfectly encapsulate Izem’s essence. His work has been steadily gaining traction over the years, and he continues to rise. CARIB VOXX looks forward to the release of his first body of work in the near future.
Ras-I
With the release of his debut album “Tsojourna” in 2019, Ras-I staked his claim on the reggae sphere. In the years since his unique flows and lyricism have garnered media attention and a faithful following. In addition to his work as a recording artist, Ras-I is a songwriter and producer. He is yet another artist whose music is difficult to pigeonhole, as his immaculate sound shows influences from many genres and has great breakthrough potential. Ras-I was recently nominated for the 2020 Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Awards a ‘Breakthrough Artist’, and was a featured act in Reggae Sunsplash’s Virtual Return. Despite his continued excellence behind the scenes of many well-known tracks and projects, CARIB VOXX expects that Ras-I’s personal exposure and recognition will only grow in the year ahead, in keeping with the calibre of his work.
Black Am I
Signed to the label Ghetto Youths International, Black Am I is another roots reggae artist whose artistic accomplishments have caught our eye. Releasing his debut EP, “Living Dread” in September of 2019, the artist formerly known as “Nesta” has been making his presence known in the Jamaican music scene, endorsing a return to roots reggae and the tenets it holds sacred. He is certainly on ‘The Edge’ of something big, and we can’t wait to see what 2021 holds for this star on the rise.
