Source: Rollingstone Magazine
Rolling Stone magazine published the 2022 Greatest Singers of All Time, from Sinatra to SZA, from R&B to salsa to alt-rock. Dubbed "Voices of the Ages," the list created controversy. The list made people wonder if it was correct, what criteria were used to make it, and, most importantly, which singers were left off.
The Rolling Stones magazine stated criteria "was compiled by our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation." The Greatest Voices List is not the same as the Greatest Singers List. In all cases, what mattered most was originality, influence, the depth of an artist's catalogue, and the breadth of their musical legacy. But in the end, the singers behind it are here for one reason: they can remake the world just by opening their mouths."
The list engaged the diaspora to quickly respond he is hyped and overrated, and the exclusion of Canadian legend Celine Dion sparked a protest at Rolling Stone's New York City office. Singer Céline Dion protested in front of Rolling Stone magazine.
Dennis Brown
On Facebook, the Jamaican music fraternity made their views known. Cat Core made a case for the lead singer Bunny Ruggs of his 3rd World band, who, along with Maxi Priest, would make the Greatest Voices List. Singer Sheila, "The bed's too big without you Hylton", stated that among those on the initial list, a few must be on that list. While Susan Cadogan, a hit-maker singer from the 1970s, acknowledged the omissions, she added, "It's (the Rolling Stones') list... it's not just a reggae singer list."
Telephone Love singer JC Lodge emphasized the contrast, noting that Rolling Stone magazine has built its reputation on honouring music for decades. Jamaicans should show our acknowledgement of our greats even if that garners less attention than platforms such as Rolling Stone.
Bob Marley
Former NPR program Manager and owner of Kingston12.com, Sydney White, Ph.D., took a more decisive tone: "Any listing of Jamaica's greatest singers that leaves out Slim Smith, John Holt, and Jackie Edwards is not credible." A big part of a journalist's responsibility is research. They did no research here.
The recent IFPI Engaging with Music Report 2022 study showed that reggae is one of the top ten genres of music worldwide; surprisingly, they named only four Jamaican reggae singers. Even more surprising was the list excluded Jamaican artists. Since the criteria are originality, influence, the depth of an artist's catalogue, and the breadth of their musical legacy, many reggae artists fit these criteria; how can the exclusion of Jimmy Cliff, Jamaica's first global superstar, Alton Ellis, the King of Rocksteady, Ken Booth, and John Holt be explained.
Rolling Stone named for the first time five Jamaican singers: the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown (#67), Toots Hibbert of the Maytals (#94), Bob Marley (#98), Barrington "Canary" Levy at (#119), and reggae singer Luciano at (#143).
Is Dennis Brown, the Crown Prince of Reggae, challenging Bob Marley for the title of King of Reggae?
Reggae's Crown Prince Dennis Brown, the definitive voice of reggae's vocal style, topped the list of reggae singers. Brown came in at #67 behind the Temptations' great David Ruffin, whose vocal style topped the list of reggae singers. Brown came in at #67 behind Temptations great David Ruffin, who was #66. Brown polled ahead of pop superstars Rihanna (No. 68), Michael Jackson (No. 86), Diana Ross (No. 87), Barbara Streisand (No. 147), Elton John (No. 100), Bruce Springsteen (No. 77), Bono (No. 140), Donny Hathaway (No. 126), and Patti LaBelle at No. 74.
Brown's second "Greatest Singers of All Time" award comes from a prestigious American media organization. In 2010, National Public Radio (NPR) listed 50 Great Voices. Dennis Brown, along with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Maria Callas, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, and Donny Hathaway
The King of Reggae, Bob Marley, is #98 on the Voices of the Ages 2022 list. In 2004, they named Marley to Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. This is the eighth time Marley has appeared on Rolling Stone's "Greatest Artist of All Time" list.
Ska, Reggae, and Rocksteady legend Toots Hibbert of the Maytals is arguably Jamaica's greatest singer and one of the greatest ever. From Willie Nelson to Bonnie Raitt, Toots has recorded with international artists in many genres of music. Like Marley, Toots is a perennial feature of the "greatest artists of all time" list.
The addition of reggae messenger Luciano is well-deserved and a pleasant surprise. Luciano, at #143 is behind the Stylistics' lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. This is Luciano's first appearance on the list of the Greatest Singers of All Time. This time, Barrington Levy joins the late Lee Scratch Perry as another Jamaican artist to make the list.
While the Rolling Stone list started a conversation about acknowledging the need for our perspective on the greatest singers from Jamaica as part of the reggae narrative,
Rolling Stone magazine Jamaica celebrates Jamaican singers, but Jamaica does not.
No media entity in Jamaica honours singers in the same way. These international music publications appreciate Jamaican singers and honour them. Where is Jamaica's music industry's authentic annual media listing to honour Jamaican brand singers? The Gleaner is one of the Western world's oldest and most respected media entities.
There is no reason the Gleaner, despite not being a music industry publication, given its global prestige, couldn't do what Rolling Stone magazine is doing. The Gleaner is one of the most important media outlets in the western hemisphere. The Gleaner, CVM, TVJ, and the Jamaica Observer continue to fail to respect and honour our culture and musical icons. International media entities always praise Jamaican singers. Why can't Jamaicans on the island exercise their authenticity? Consistently?
Yet when foreign media entities consistently find ways to honour Jamaican artists, there is no shortage of criticism from Jamaicans.
Jamaicans exercise it.