CONSCIENTIOUS JAMAICAN ARTISTS: OUR TOP TEN

All such lists are subjective and reflective of personal preferences, and the perimeters often neglected. For instance, people often confuse the term greatest with best. Where greatest is typically very clear and based on concrete things such as sales or statistics, the best is far more objective and open to opinion.

Today's list is based on another criteria altogether. Our goal is to list the ten Jamaican artists or bands who most exemplify the consciousness of Reggae music. Although if we were making a list of greatest or best, we would strongly consider each of the artists, our focus today is on who best spreads the conscious vibes of reggae music.

Here are ten conscious Jamaican artists who consistently used music to confront social issues and promote positive change.

Let's begin with my top ten favorite conscientious Jamaican artists and then discuss each.

1. Bob Marley

2. Third World Band

3. Protoje

4. Ini Kamoze

5. Chronixx

6. Ziggy Marley

7. Steel Pulse

8. Anthony B

9. Black Uhuru

10. Stephen Marley

These conscious Jamaican artists use their music as a platform for social commentary, addressing issues such as racial oppression, social inequality, and advocating for justice and change. Most knowledgeable reggae fans probably agree with most the picks, although we could forever debate the order from multiple viewpoints. And most probably agree that any discussion on conscientious reggae artists starts with brother Bob.

Bob Marley, undoubtedly a legend in reggae music, hailed as one of the most iconic conscious artists of any genre. His music goes beyond entertainment, promoting messages of unity, love, and liberation. If we were to sum up his music with one song, it would be "Redemption Song," a powerful anthem calling for freedom, and stands as a testament to his commitment to social justice. If you walked searching for a person who loves reggae but dislikes Bob Marley, take extra shoes because you're going to wear out a few.

Similarly, Third World Band has consistently used their music to bring awareness to social issues such as poverty, injustice, and political corruption. Despite their success, Third World remains the most underrated band of any genre when you consider their longevity, the volume of their quality studio work, their thousands of fabulous concerts, and their blend of reggae, dancehall, funk, soul, rock with conscious lyrics.

Protoje, a leading figure in the reggae revival movement, focuses on consciousness and empowerment in his music. His lyrics often delve into topics such as mental liberation, spirituality, and the importance of self-reflection. Protoje, like Anthony B, landed on this list as a dancehall artist, which says much about his maturity, consciousness, talent, and choices.

Protoje - Who Knows ft. Chronixx (Official Music Video). Source: Protoje

Ini Kamoze's hit song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" may be catchy, but it also carries a strong message about empowerment and standing up against oppression. "Shocking Out" might be the best Reggae album ever without Bob Marley's name on the cover. From "Cool It Off" to Color Me Reggae (Spread Out), every song on the album was fantastic.

Chronixx, another prominent figure in the reggae revival movement, uses his music to advocate for social change and upliftment. Chronixx also is taking younger artists under his wings and nurturing their talent, showing his commitment to the future of conscious Jamaican music. The talented Koffee is one such artist.

Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of Bob Marley, carries on his father's legacy by using his music to address issues such as environmental sustainability and the power of love and unity. From the time his father died and he took on the role of a conscious artist, Ziggy Marley has consistently used his platform to spread messages of peace and justice. Immediately, he showed wisdom and commitment to family when the record company only wanted him--and not Cedella, Stephen, and Sharon--Ziggy stood strong and insisted on including his brother and sisters in the Melodymakers. Ziggy has a nice spirit and well represents and carries forward the conscious legacy of his father, Bob Marley.

Steel Pulse, a highly influential reggae band, tackles social and political issues such as racism, inequality, and the struggles of marginalized communities in their music. Through their lyrics and performances, they aim to create awareness and spark conversations about these pressing issues.

Anthony B, known for his conscious and thought-provoking lyrics, discusses social issues like poverty, corruption, and the exploitation of the poor in his songs. When so many Dancehall artists resort to lyrics that promote violence and misogyny, Anthony B stands out as an artist who uses his platform to shed light on important societal issues. He's a dancehall artist with a reggae soul.

Black Uhuru, a reggae group that emerged in the 1970s, has consistently used their music to highlight social and political issues. They address topics such as racial discrimination, economic inequality, and the fight for freedom and justice.

Finishing the list is Bob and Rita's second son, Stephen Marley, who continues the family tradition of using music as a form of activism. He incorporates elements of reggae, hip-hop, and R&B into his music and uses his platform to advocate for social change and empower listeners. Watching him grow from a kid on stage with the Melodymakers into an internationally respected artist on his own has been inspiring.

Other than Third World, there are three Jamaican artists who come to mind when considering the best since Bob Marey; Busy Signal, Ini Kamoze, and Garnett Silk. Garnett would surely be on this list had his career not been cut short when he tragically entered a fire attempting to save his mother. His voice was as smooth as his name, and he was conscious to the bone, so I do not necessarily disagree with anybody who argues he should be on the list. I love Garnett Silk, and only keep him off because of his shorter career. There are perhaps a dozen other contenders to consider for such a list, but the question becomes, who would you toss? While tempted to add Garnett Silk, I remain hesitant to bump any of the artists from the list.

The Standard of Conscious Jamaican Artists

Jamaica has produced a plethora of talented musicians who have not only entertained audiences but also used their music as a platform to raise awareness about social, political, and economic issues.

Conscious Jamaican artists like Bob Marley, Third World Band, Protoje, Ini Kamoze, Chronixx, Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, Anthony B, Black Uhuru, and Stephen Marley not only entertain us with their music, but they also serve as catalysts for social and political change. These artists use their platform and their lyrics to shed light on social issues, inspire unity and love, and advocate for liberation and justice. They are conscious of the persistent inequalities and injustices that exist in the world, particularly in post-colonial Jamaica. They use their music as a tool for resistance, empowerment, and education, offering a voice to the marginalized and oppressed.

Through their music, these conscious Jamaican artists link the memory of the past with the condemnation of the inequality and violence that persist in a post-colonial age. They draw inspiration from the struggles and experiences of their people, using their music to convey messages of hope, resilience, and the importance of unity. Their lyrics serve as a call to action, urging individuals to recognize and address societal issues such as racism, poverty, corruption, and inequality. These artists exemplify the power of music as a means of social activism and consciousness-raising.

There are other conscientious Jamaican artists, and each deserves respect and recognition, but these are as talented as anybody and always represent the nobler ambitions of Reggae. Each of these artists brings a unique style and perspective to their music, blending different genres and influences to create a sound that is distinctly Jamaican. These artists not only draw from reggae, which has become synonymous with social consciousness, but also incorporate elements of dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, and soul into their music, creating a fusion that is both fresh and powerful.

A handful of truly talented Jamaican artists did not make this list because the bar is too high to include people who are conscious on one song or album, and the next are belittling women, spreading derogatory messages, or promoting violence.

The artists on this list set a high bar for conscious music, consistently using their platform to promote positive messages and advocate for social change. They never trade hard work for easy solutions, a conscious message for a cheap hook or provocative lyrics.

There are definitely a few others worthy of this list, but are there enough to make an 11-20 list? For that matter, are there twenty legitimate conscientious artists with extraordinary talent in any musical genre? That remains a matter of debate and a subject I might tackle another day.