Category Archives: Legends & Singers – All

The pioneers & icons of the early days of Reggae!

Interviews, Legends & Singers - All, Read by Volume/Issue/Year, Vol 14-1996

Bobby Digital – Reggae/Dancehall Producer for the ’90s

Update 2020: We are saddened to report the passing of producer/engineer Bobby Digital on May 21, 2020. His son Sheldon relayed that his father passed away from a kidney-related illness. The entire Reggae and Dancehall family mourns the loss of this visionary who left his mark and sound on five generations of musical history.  ~ M. Peggy Quattro

Bobby Digital – The Producer for the ’90s

By Clyde McKenzie     V14#3 1996

Bobby Digital, producer extraordinaire, shares the same astrological sign as such notables as Albert Einstein, Quincy Jones, and Mikhail Gorbachev. This affable Pisces is also a first-class studio engineer and creator of some of Reggae’s most compelling rhythms, including the popular “Kette.”

bobby digital, digital b, reggae, dancehall history, reggae history, dancehall, kingston, jamaica, 90s reggae
Robert “Bobby Digital” Dixon
Photographer Unknown

Bobby Digital’s life began in a fashion not far removed from that of many major players in the music industry. He was born poor to Mary, a dressmaker, and Eric Dixon, a carpenter. With his four siblings, Bobby Dixon shared a modest existence in the Olympic Gardens area Kingston, notorious for its natives who find refuge in a life of crime.

Continue reading →

Garnet Silk, Read the Music! Magazine Articles & More! - All, Uncategorized, Vol 13-1995

Garnet Silk – On Record – A Discography 1995

Garnet Silk on Record

by Lee O’Neill           V13#2 1995

The passing of Garnet Silk is greatly mourned throughout the Reggae community. It is becoming a far too common occurrence for talented artists to needlessly lose their lives. In Silk’s case, the tragedy is compounded by his youthfulness, his vitality and the sense that he hadn’t yet come close to fulfilling his considerable potential.

It’s Growing was Silk’s first album released on VP Records in 1992, although he had been releasing records for at least a couple of years in Jamaica. It’s inconsistent, at best, with a handful of great songs, such as the title track, “Place in Your Heart,” “Commitment” and “I Am Vex.” Some of the other songs, however, sound forced or incomplete, and while Silk has one of the best voices, he hadn’t completely learned to control it or discipline it on It’s Growing. The session was produced by Bobby Digital. Continue reading →

Garnet Silk, Legends & Singers - All, Read the Music! Magazine Articles & More! - All, Vol 13-1995

Garnet Silk Legacy Discussed with Rebel, Garrick & Semaj

Garnet Silk Returns to Zion

by Howard Campbell      V13#2 1995

Garnet at home, 1/13/94

Before we proceed, let’s get one thing straight, Garnet Silk was no Bob Marley. He didn’t profess to be Bob Marley, nor did he want to be. Despite the obvious similarities in religion and profession, the two possessed entirely different personalities.

The inevitable comparisons that have been made since Garnet burst onto the scene three years ago have been further fueled since his death a few months ago. Such a flattering likeness is evidence of the social impact the 28-year-old singer made in such a short period. In fact, he created a spark more famous names, like Ziggy Marley, failed to ignite among the masses.

That was probably the most glaring similarity between Bob Marley and Garnet Silk, the fact that they were both hero-worshipped by Jamaica’s lower class and, through their music, transformed the status quo of a country obsessed with social standing. Continue reading →

Dancehall - All, Legends & Singers - All, Read the Music! Magazine Articles & More! - All

Half Pint: A Rising Reggae Star  V7#2 1989

Half Pint: A Rising Star

Introduced in V7#2 1989

Born on 11 November 1961, his mother called him London Andrew Roberts. Growing up, however, he was given the name Half Pint by a neighbor in his childhood community [of] Waterhouse in Kingston 11.

Half Pint’s career as a singer/songwriter began to take shape in 1983 when his smash hit single “Winsome” topped the charts in Jamaica. The next couple of years were to be the foundation years for Half Pint. During this time three albums were released – Moneyman Skank, Half Pint in Fine Style, and One in a Million [that] included hit singles like “Political Fiction,” “Mr. Landlord,” “Moneyman Skank,” and “Sally.” Continue reading →

Legends & Singers - All, Peter Tosh, Read the Music! Magazine Articles & More! - All, ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!

Peter Tosh – 75th Earthstrong 2019

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2019 marks the 75th Earthstrong of the Mystic Man, Peter Tosh. Taken far too soon, Peter left us not only with legendary music, but also with his words of wit and wisdom…like this from an interview with Roger Steffens on KCRW-FM, Los Angeles, CA  Nov. 5, 1982

I’m living in a world of ignorance where everything that is righteous is condemned and everything that is wrongicious is elevated. I know that everything that is legal is illegal, and everything that is wrong is right, and that’s the Shitstem… ~Peter Tosh 

Every day is a day to celebrate the life of the Stepping Razor. Over the years, Reggae Report magazine featured the life and times of Peter Tosh through news, photos, and interviews. Many can be found and read on the site here.

Peter Tosh 1987 Reggae Report Cover
Peter Tosh 1987 Reggae Report Cover

Read the Music: Inside this 1987 issue is the story of his cruel and evil killing inside his own home, and coverage of the music-filled funeral/life celebration. You can read the music when you click to download the magazine here. 

The Rasta rebel was born on October 19, 1944, in Westmoreland, Jamaica & moved to Trenchtown when he was 17. 

Peter Tosh Promo Print

His solo career began in 1976 with CBS Records/Rolling Stones Records, & later EMI. After many years of sharing his music and message with the world, he was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for No Nuclear War in 1987. 

Taken at only 43, Peter would have been 75 years young today! For his birthday, play some Peter Tosh today!

Shop the Music: Check out our Tribute Bundle with classic magazines featuring the Legend in photos and interviews, and read the music whenever you wish!

Listen to the Music: Jam out to these Peter Tosh hits with this Top 11 List from Jamaicans.com 🎶

We wan’ know: What’s your favorite Peter Tosh song? 

Interviews, Legends & Singers - All, The Women - All

Diana King Candid Interview – V15#8 1997

Diana King: Doing What Feels Right

By Sara Gurgen   (V15#8 1997)

Diana King Candid Interview in V15#8 1997
Download V15#8 1997 to read this & more!

Since Reggae Report last caught up with Reggae/Rap/R&B diva Diana King, the sultry singer-songwriter married the man who inspired her crossover hit “Shy Guy,” moved to sunny South Florida, delivered a healthy baby boy, and is currently doing promotional activities in support of her new album, Think Like a Girl (Work), a powerful follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut, Tougher Than Love (1995 Work/Columbia).

During an early October interview while en route to a radio visit in Providence RI, the affable, articulate Jamaican-born artist spoke candidly about the long-awaited new album, her innovative vocal style, and the personal and musical developments that have led to this point in her career. Continue reading →

Bob Marley, Read the Music! Magazine Articles & More! - All, The Marleys - All, The Women - All

Cedella Marley Booker & MPeggyQ Talk Bob Marley 1984

 A Conversation with his Mother… Cedella Marley Booker

Bob Marley: The Legend Lives On

By M. Peggy Quattro
(RR Publisher MPQ shares her 1st interview with Ms. B at her home in 1984)
(A link to a portion of the interview audio is below!)

mother booker & mpeggyq
Mother Booker & MPeggyQ

Walking around the grounds surrounding the great house in southwest Miami, you sense the peace and comfort Bob found there. MOTHER B, looking radiant and youthful following a loss of 60 odd pounds, cheerfully discusses her own interesting part in this lingering legend.

“In this great future, you can’t forget your past … so dry your tears I say…”    (No Woman No Cry)

I listen attentively as MOTHER B proudly points to her growing garden explaining what is there… “there’s calaloo and sugar cane, a yam hill and pumpkin patch.” As she speaks you detect the knowledge, wisdom and love this woman has for the growing of food. And so it should be . . . as the daughter of a well-respected and gentle farmer, Mrs. B grew to learn and love planting and farming. Born and raised in St. Ann’s, a rural [Jamaican] parish, a youthful Cedella worked hard with her brothers and sisters in the field high up in the village of Rhoden Hall (Nine Mile). This is where BOB was born February 6, 1945, and it was at some point a few years later the two of them packed off for a new life “to town” (Kingston). Continue reading →