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Raggamuffin music, usually abbreviated as ragga, is a sub-genre of dancehall music or reggae, in which the instrumentation primarily consists of electronic music. Similar to hip hop, Sampling often serves a prominent role in raggamuffin music.

Wayne Smith's "Under Me Sleng Teng" was produced by King Jammy in 1985 on a Casio MT-40 synthesizer, and is generally recognized as the seminal ragga song. "Sleng Teng" boosted Jammy's popularity immensely, and other producers quickly released their own versions of the riddim, accompanied by dozens of different vocalists.

Ragga is now mainly used as a synonym for dancehall reggae or for describing dancehall with a deejay chatting rather than singjaying or singing on top of the riddim.

	"Under Me Sleng Teng" by Wayne Smith noicon a 30-second example of early ragga music
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Origins[link]

Ragga originated in Jamaica during the 1980s, at the same time that electronic dance music's popularity was increasing globally. One of the reasons for ragga's swift propagation is that it is generally easier and less expensive to produce than reggae performed on traditional musical instruments. Ragga evolved first in Jamaica, and later in Europe, North America, and Africa, eventually spreading to Japan, India, and the rest of the world. Ragga heavily influenced early jungle music, and also spawned the syncretistic bhangragga style when fused with bhangra. In the 1990s, ragga and breakcore music fused, creating a style known as raggacore.

The term raggamuffin is an intentional misspelling of ragamuffin, a word that entered the Jamaican Patois lexicon after the British Empire colonized Jamaica in the 17th century. Despite the British colonialists' pejorative application of the term, Jamaican youth appropriated it as an ingroup designation. The term raggamuffin music describes the music of Jamaica's "ghetto dwellers".

Ragga and hip hop music[link]

In the late 1980s, influential Jamaican rapper Daddy Freddy's pioneering efforts in fusing ragga with hip hop music earned him international acclaim while helping to publicize and popularize ragga. In 1987, Daddy Freddy and Asher D's "Ragamuffin Hip-Hop" became the first multinational single to feature the word ragga in its title. In 1992, Canadian hip hop group Rascalz released their debut album under the name "Ragga Muffin Rascals". As ragga matured, an increasing number of dancehall artists began to appropriate stylistic elements of hip hop music, while ragga music, in turn, influenced more and more hip hop artists, most notably KRS-One, the Boot Camp Clik, Das EFX, Busta Rhymes, as well as some artists with ragga-influenced styles, like early Common, Main Source, Ill Al Scratch, Fu-Schnickens, and Redman. Artists like Mad Lion grew in popularity during this early 90's trend, exemplified by his crossing from Reggae to Hip-Hop Culture.

Some ragga artists believe that the assimilation of hip hop sensibilities is crucial to the international marketability of dancehall music. Indeed, appeals to the contemporary rhythm and blues and hip hop music audiences in the English-speaking world contributed substantially to the multinational commercial success of such dancehall artists as

• Aidonia
• Apache Indian
• Admiral T
• Al Beeno
• Apache Indian
• Anthony B
• Busy Signal
• Bugle
• Bramma
• Buju Banton
• Beenie Man
• Barrington Levy
• Bounty Killer
• Buju Banton
• Bascom X
• Baby Cham
• Collie Buddz
• Chino
• Capleton
• Cocoa Tea
• Cutty Ranks
• Damian Marley
• Dub Incorporation
• Delly Ranks
• Daddy Freddy
• DJ Collage
• Don Yute
• Eek A Mouse
• Erijef Massiv
• Elephant Man
• Fantan Mojah
• Fidel Nadal
• General Levy
• General Degree
• Gentleman
• Ini Kamoze
• Irie
• Jambazi
• Junior Reid
• Jahdan Blakkamoore
• Jah Mason
• Junior Kelly
• Ky-Mani Marley
• Lieutenant Stitchie
• Lady G
• Lady Ragga
• Lady Saw
• Lexxus
• Marika
• Mr. Vegas
• Mad Lion
• Macka Diamond
• Mavado
• Mad Cobra
• Massilia Sound System
• Million Stylez
• Natty congo
• Ninjaman
• Natural Black
• Natural Dread Killaz
• Papa Dee
• Pato Banton
• Papa San
• Patra
• Popcaan
• Ragga Saw
• Richie Spice
• Ragga Muffianismo
• Raggademente
• Rick Dub
• Ragga Oktay
• Rupee
• Sizzla
• Sean Kingston
• Selah Sue
• Super Cat
• Spragga Benz
• Stephen Marley
• Sight Mc
• Spice 1
• Sean Paul
• Shaggy
• Shinehead
• Shabba Ranks
• Sister Nancy
• Soraia Drummond
• Steppa Style
• Snow
• Stein
• Scopie
• Skindred
• Shabba Ranks
• Tony Matterhorn
• Turbulence
• Tenor Saw
• T.O.K
• Tanya Stephens
• Tony Rebel
• Tippa Irie
• Voicemail
• Vybz Kartel
• Vavamuffin
• Wyclef Jean
• Wayne Wonder
• Wayne Smith
• Wayne Marshall
• Yellowman

See also[link]

• Reggae fusion
• Ragga-soca
• Ragga jungle
• Bouyon-muffin
• Bhangragga

References[link]

• The world of DJs and the turntable culture By Todd Souvignier
• Stascha (Staša) Bader: Worte wie Feuer: Dancehall Reggae und Raggamuffin. Words Like Fire. Dancehall Reggae and Raggamuffin. Dissertation Thesis at the Zurich University, 1986. Buchverlag Michael Schwinn, Neustadt, Deutschland, 1. Aufl. 1988, 2. Aufl. 1992

External links[link]

• Short article covering major Ragga songs
• Actual Ragga Top 10 Charts
• Allmusic entry for Ragga

v t e Reggae Genres Roots reggae · Dub music · Dub poetry · Lovers rock · Dancehall · Reggaeton · Reggae en Español · Reggae fusion · Ragga · Ragga jungle · Samba reggae Characteristics Walking bass · Hammond organ · Reverb · Delay · Deejay (Toasting) · Singjay Related topics Music of Jamaica · Caribbean Music · Caribbean music in the United Kingdom · Reggae in Australia · Reggae Grammy winners 1985-present · Rastafari · Rude boy · Skinhead · Suedehead · Dance Hall (venue) · Dubplate · Sound system (Jamaican) · Sound system (DJ) · Riddim · Jamaican English · Jamaican Patois · Studio One · Trojan Records · Island Records · Blue Beat · Reggae musicians · Dub artists · Jamaican record producers · Reggae festivals

Barrington Levy
Barrington Levy in Stockholm, Sweden
Background information
Born	(1964-04-30) 30 April 1964 (age 48)
Origin	Clarendon, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae, dancehall, reggae fusion, ragga Jungle
Years active	1976–present
Labels	MCA Records
Website	www.barringtonlevy.net

Barrington Levy (born 30 April 1964, Clarendon, Jamaica)^[1] is a reggae and dancehall artist from Jamaica.

Career[link]

In 1976, Levy formed a band with his cousin, Everton Dacres, called the Mighty Multitude; the pair released "My Black Girl" in 1977.^[1][2] Levy established his solo career the next year with "A Long Time Since We Don't Have No Love";^[2] though the single was a failure, the fourteen year old was a popular performer at Jamaican dancehalls.^[3] In 1979, Levy met Henry "Junjo" Lawes and Hyman Wright, both record producers, and recorded several singles with the Roots Radics, including "Al Yah We Deh", "Looking My Love", "Englishman", "Skylarking", "Wedding Ring Aside" and "Collie Weed", all of which became hits and established Levy's career. Levy's next few singles were similarly successful, including "Shine Eye Girl", "Wicked Intention", "Jumpy Girl", "Disco Music", "Reggae Music", "Never Tear My Love Apart", "Jah", "You Made Me So Happy" and "When You're Young and in Love". Levy then recorded several duets with Toyan, Jah Thomas and Trinity, and appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in 1980 and 1981.^[2] Although albums were not terribly important in Jamaica at the time, Levy released four albums before 1980: Shaolin Temple, Bounty Hunter, Shine Eye Gal (United Kingdom) and Englishman, a critically acclaimed record. His success led to many earlier studio and sound system performances being reissued without his consent, releases he described as "joke business".^[2][4]

By the time his 1980 album Robin Hood was released, Levy was one of the biggest Jamaican stars, and saw his international fame growing as well, especially in the United Kingdom. Taking a break from albums, Levy then released a series of hit singles, including "Mary Long Tongue", "In the Dark", "Too Poor", "I Have a Problem", "Even Tide Fire a Disaster", "I'm Not in Love", "You Have It", "Love of Jah", "Under Mi Sensi", "Tomorrow Is Another Day", "Robberman", "Black Roses", "My Woman" and "Money Move".^[2] He began working with Paul "Jah Screw" Love and toured the UK in 1984, where he enjoyed a big hit on the reggae charts with "Under Mi Sensi", which was followed by the crossover hit "Here I Come", which reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart in 1985.^[5] He returned to LPs with Lifestyle and Money Move, followed by a British hit album called Here I Come; Levy received the Best Vocalist prize at the British Reggae Awards in 1984.^[2] The late 1980s saw Levy, now in his twenties, slow down his recorded output, though he continued to perform and record regularly, and played at Sunsplash every year from 1987 to 1995.^[2] His fortunes were revived by two cover versions of Bob Andy songs - "My Time" and "Too Experienced", both produced by Jah Screw,^[1] and he was signed by Island Records in 1991 for the Divine album.^[4] In 1991 he returned to the UK chart with "Tribal Base", a single by Rebel MC featuring Levy and Tenor Fly, which reached number 20.^[2] In 1993, Levy tried to break in the United States with the Barrington album, produced by Lee Jaffe, Andre Betts and Sly & Robbie, but it failed to give him the breakthrough he wanted and his relationship with MCA Records was short-lived.^[2]

In the 1990s, Levy continued to release periodic hits in Jamaica, and more rarely in the UK, although his vocals were sampled and used in many underground and released jungle tunes. In 1998, he released Living Dangerously, which included a collaboration with one of Jamaica's most prolific deejays, Bounty Killer, and with Snoop Dogg. The release was one of Levy's most successful since the start of the 1990s, and saw him finally achieve some success in the US.^[3] Levy performed on two tracks on Long Beach Dub All Stars 1999 album Right Back, and also played a few shows with the band. He was featured on a 1999 track by the Rascalz titled "Top Of The World", also featuring K-os. Levy also appeared on two singles by rapper Shyne (notably Shyne's 2000 debut single, "Bad Boyz"), and on a track for drum and bass artist Aphrodite's 2000 album Aftershock. "Here I Come" returned to the charts in 2001, with a new version by Levy and Talisman P reaching number 37 in the UK.^[6]

In 2004, he contributed to a track on the album White People by Handsome Boy Modeling School, a project by Prince Paul and Dan the Automator. He also did some collaborations with Slightly Stoopid on their 2005 album Closer To The Sun. Most recently, Levy made a guest appearance on the single "No Fuss" by Red-1 of the Rascalz, from his 2007 album Beg For Nothing.

"Here I Come" is also featured in Saints Row 2 and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

He also appeared on a demo for Jadakiss' latest album The Last Kiss called Hard Times

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Bounty Hunter (1979) Jah Life
• Shine Eye Gal (1979), Burning Sounds
• Englishman (1979), Greensleeves
• Robin Hood (1980), Greensleeves
• Doh Ray Me (1980), JB
• Run Come Ya! (1981), Jah Life
• 21 Girls Salute (1982), Jah Life
• Poor Man Style (1983), Trojan
• Lifestyle (1983), GG's
• Teach Me Culture (1983), Live & Learn
• Money Move (1983), Powerhouse
• Here I Come (1984), Greensleeves
• Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul (1984), Ariwa - with Frankie Paul
• Barrington Levy (1984), Clocktower
• Prison Oval Rock (1985), Volcano
• Open Book (1985), Tuff Gong
• Clash Of The 80s (1986), Cornerstone - with Cocoa Tea
• Love the Life You Live (1988), Time
• Live and Learn Presents Beres Hammond and Barrington Levy (1990), Live & Learn - with Beres Hammond
• Divine (1991), Island/Mango
• Turning Point (1992), Greensleeves
• Barrington (1993), MCA
• Duets (1995), RAS - also released as DJ Counteraction (1995), Greensleeves
• Time Capsule (1996), RAS - recorded 1982
• Living Dangerously (1998), Breakaway
• Too Experienced: The Best of Barrington Levy (1998)
• Wanted (2005), 2B1 - CD+DV
• The Lost Mixes From King Tubbys Studio (2005)
• Teach The Youth (2008)

New songs since 2000[link]

• Barrington Levy - Full Control (feat. Shaggy)
• Barrington Levy - Caan Hold Us Down (feat. Gentleman & Daddy Rings)
• Barrington Levy - The Worlds Gone Mad (feat. Handsome Boy Modeling School)
• Barrington Levy - Bad Boyz (feat. Shyne)
• Barrington Levy - Boonie & Shyne (feat. Shyne)
• Barrington Levy - All Over Me (feat. Aphrodite)
• Barrington Levy - Don´t Turn Off The Light (feat. Varon)
• Barrington Levy - See No Other Way (feat. Slightly Stoopid)
• Barrington Levy - No Fuss (feat. Red1)
• Barrington Levy - No Fuss (Reggaeton/Dancehall Remix) (feat. Red1)
• Barrington Levy - Free Tempo (feat. Fat Joe & Tempo)
• Barrington Levy - Free Tempo (Remix) (feat. Tempo, Mexicano 777, MC Ceja, getto & Gastam)
• Barrington Levy - Free Tempo (Mambo Remix) (feat. Omega, Tempo & Fuego^{[disambiguation needed ]})
• Barrington Levy - Delilah (feat. Wyclef Jean)
• Barrington Levy - Gangster (feat. Vybz Kartel & Khago)
• Barrington Levy - No War (feat. Kardinal Offishall)
• Barrington Levy - No War (Remix) (feat. Busta Rhymes & Kardinal Offishall)
• Barrington Levy - No War (Remix) (feat. Busta Rhymes, Kardinal Offishall & Lil Wayne)
• Barrington Levy - Be Strong
• Barrington Levy - Murderer (feat. Snoop Dogg & Mims)
• Barrington Levy - Mr. DJ (feat. Foxy Brown^{[disambiguation needed ]})
• Barrington Levy - Murderation (feat. Gyptian)
• Barrington Levy - Hard Times (feat. Jadakiss)
• Barrington Levy - Only You
• Barrington Levy - Soldados (feat. Daddy Yankee & Ñengo Flow)
• Barrington Levy - Welcome To My Gangsters Hood (feat. DJ Khaled, T-Pain, Vybz Kartel, Khago & Lil Wayne)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Discography

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2009)

Diana King (born 8 November 1970, Spanish Town, Jamaica) is a reggae fusion singer-songwriter who specifically performed a mixture and fusion of R&B, reggae and dancehall. She was born to a Jamaica Indian father and an African mother.

Career[link]

After making an appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 song "Respect," from his album Ready to Die, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music. King's first single "Shy Guy", co-written and produced by Andy Marvel, from her debut album Tougher Than Love, became a hit, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold by the RIAA in the U.S.; the single also hit #2 on the UK Singles Chart,^[1] as well as reaching #1 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart, going on to sell nearly five million singles worldwide. The song made the soundtrack to the 1995 film, Bad Boys. "Shy Guy" was also ranked by the Japanese radio station J-Wave as the number-one song of 1995.

In 1997, King's second album Think Like a Girl entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at #1. King also scored another well-received hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Dance Club Play with her cover version of the song "I Say a Little Prayer" (originally recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1967), which featured on the soundtrack to the film, My Best Friend's Wedding. King was also featured on the 1997 soundtrack to the documentary When We Were Kings, where she performed the title track with Brian McKnight. In 1998, King joined Celine Dion and Brownstone on stage to perform the hit "Treat Her Like a Lady" previously written and recorded by King from Tougher Than Love at the Essence Awards. That year she also appeared on Soul Train, The RuPaul Show, and VIBE to promote Think Like a Girl. In 1999 she toured India doing a five city tour. From Goa she said "I never thought I would come back to India."^[2]

King entered negotiations with Madonna's Maverick Records label in 2000. In 2002, King released her third album Respect. It received a Japan-only release on July 24th, 2002^[3] until it was eventually released in other markets such as the UK on April 17th, 2006^[4] and a digital-only release in the United States on April 29th, 2008.^[5] The album's lead single "Summer Breezin'" premiered on BET and VH1 video and received some urban radio airplay.

In 2007, she co-wrote and recorded the song "The Light Within" with the German reggae artist, Gentleman, for his album Another Intensity. She also had the girl duo Brick & Lace join her on one of her concerts as backup singers. Later that year, she formed her own record label, ThinkLikeAgirl. She also tours Asia annually.

Her fourth studio album Warrior Girl was released in Japan on September 22, 2010.^[6] It was released digitally in the United States (under the title Agirlnameking) on November 8, 2011.^[7]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Diana King at Allmusic
• Diana King on Myspace
• Diana King at the Internet Movie Database