Born in Jonestown, Jamaica, in 1942, and championed by King Tubby, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Bunny Lee and the late, great Duke Reid, U-Roy's unprecedented success in the late 60s and early 70s with reggae blueprints such as 'Wake The Town', 'Rule The Nation' and 'Wear You To The Ball', rendered him one of his homeland's biggest stars.
Originating a style so distinctive as to change the face of Jamaican music, U-Roy's vibrant, unshakeable interpretations propelled reggae rhythms across the globe - not least toward the UK, where he became a cultural, and critical, hero.
U-Roy is an absolute must-see: he put DJs and reggae music on the map; he proved a direct influence on American rap. His legacy to popular music is massive.
Recorded live for Triptych by Radio Magnetic