Barrington Levy

Barrington Levy: A Dancehall Pioneer

Barrington Ainsworth Levy, born April 30, 1964, is a seminal figure in Jamaican reggae and dancehall music. His distinctive vocal style and prolific output have left an indelible mark on the genre.

Early Years and Rise to Prominence

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Levy began his musical journey in his youth, forming the group Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They honed their skills on the sound system circuit before cutting their first single, “My Black Girl,” in 1977. At just 14, Levy launched his solo career with “A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love,” which, while not a major hit, showcased his burgeoning talent. His captivating performances in dancehalls quickly made him a sought-after artist.

A pivotal meeting with producers Junjo Lawes and Hyman “Jah Life” Wright led Levy to King Tubby’s studio. Backed by the Roots Radics, they recorded a series of influential tracks, including “Ah Yah We Deh,” “Looking My Love,” and “Wedding Ring Aside.” The immense success of “Collie Weed” solidified Levy’s status as a dancehall star.

A Prolific Hitmaker

The follow-up single, “Shine Eye Girl,” was another massive hit, propelling the young Levy to international demand. He continued to release a steady stream of popular singles, such as “Jumpy Girl” and a notable rendition of Horace Andy’s “Skylarking.” Collaborations with producer Alvin Ranglin yielded further hits like “Never Tear My Love Apart” and “Jah.”

Levy's rich voice proved ideal for duets, and he frequently partnered with other vocalists and DJs. Notable collaborations include tracks with Toyan (“Call You on the Phone”), Jah Thomas (“Moonlight Lover,” “Sister Debby”), and Trinity (“Lose Respect,” “I Need a Girl”).

Establishing the Dancehall Sound

Levy’s early career was marked by a relentless schedule of studio recordings and live performances. Between 1979 and 1980, he released four albums, including Bounty Hunter, featuring hits like “Reggae Music” and “Shine Eye Girl.” The British label Burning Sounds released Shine Eye Gal, which also contained “Collie Weed” and “Ah Yah We Deh.” The album Englishman, produced by Junjo Lawes with mixing by Scientist and Prince Jammy, is considered a landmark record. Levy's ability to infuse his recordings with the spontaneity of a DJ, while bringing vocals back to the forefront of the sound system scene, was revolutionary. Working with Lawes and the Roots Radics, Levy helped define a new, hard-hitting, yet danceable dancehall sound.

Dominance and Challenges

By 1980, Levy was widely recognized as Jamaica's biggest musical star, a fact affirmed by his album Robin Hood. The album's success extended to Britain, where it was released by Greensleeves. However, Levy's immense popularity also led to widespread bootlegging of his music, including live recordings and unreleased material. This prompted a two-year hiatus from album releases, during which he continued to issue popular singles like “Mary Long Tongue” and “Too Poor.”

Throughout the 1980s, Levy continued to deliver hits such as “I’m Not in Love,” “Tomorrow Is Another Day,” and “Money Move.” He also experimented with self-production on tracks like “In the Dark” and “Love of Jah.”

International Recognition and Later Career

In 1983, Levy released the album Money Move, produced by George Phang. The British label Burning Sounds released the compilation Hunter Man. In 1984, his collaboration with Jah Screw on “Under Mi Sensi” became a major hit, leading to the album Here I Come. The title track reached the UK Top 50, and Levy was awarded Best Vocalist at the British Reggae Awards. He also made history by becoming the first reggae artist to hold both the first and second positions in the UK charts simultaneously.

Levy's output slowed in the mid-1980s, though he continued to perform and released albums like Prison Oval Rock (1985) and Love the Life you Live (1988). He returned to recording with renewed vigor in the 1990s, signing with MCA in the US for the album Barrington, which featured a re-recorded “Under Mi Sensi” and hits like “Murderer.”

Further collaborations followed, including a joint album with Beenie Man and a successful duet album, Duets, with Bounty Killer, featuring the chart-topping "Living Dangerously." In 1998, a remake of "Murderer" featured Snoop Dogg and the Long Beach Dub All-Stars.

Levy's early recordings with Henry Lawes and Alvin Ranglin were later compiled in "Love Your Brother man: The Early Tear." He also featured on Shyne's 2000 album "Bad Boyz."

Barrington Levy continues to tour globally and is reportedly working on a final album titled "It's About Time," featuring collaborations with prominent artists. His son, Krishane, is also a musician signed to Atlantic Records.