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CAPLETON
The Philosophical Prophet
 To mainstream observers of Black music he is known as the ‘Fire Man’ – to aficionados of Jamaica’s Reggae music, he is The Prophet. And since Clifton Bailey III introduced himself to his audience as Capleton – in tribute to the Advocacy Lawyer who established a reputation as St. Mary’s answer to Johnny Cochran – the incendiary MC has carved a niche for himself as a key figure in modern Jamaican popular culture. Capleton is one of the acts who provide the bridge between classical Reggae and her controversial grandchild, Dancehall or Bashment. The erstwhile Prophet’s accomplishments in his chosen field have progenitored a stature within wider Jamaican society that is only paralleled in the cult of celebrity status that is prevalent within the USA and Britain.
Hardly a week goes by without some mention of the latest comings and goings of the ‘More Fire’ man within the Jamaican press; whether through his ongoing underwriting of the debts incurred by the Municipal Hospital in his birth parish of St. Mary. Or his various contributions to a plethora of schools across Jamaica or due to a prolific output which amounts to the release of approximately two singles per week or the breathtaking round of sell-out concert tours across the Isle of Springs, across the Caribbean, across the USA and across England. We could go on but, here at G MaG, we don’t work for fame or fortune or career – we work for the people and strive to give the people what they want. Which is, apparently, More Prophet.
TARRUS RILEY
The Conscious Roots Ambassador
 Omar Riley aka Tarrus Riley, son of one of Reggae’s legendary singers, Jimmy Riley, has a vibe and a sound that’s uniquely his own. He sets a trend as he continues to defend the path of conscious, Lovers Rock and Roots music and is acclaimed as one of Jamaica’s most captivating new ‘Heartists’. The future is more than promising for this hardworking and devoted artist. In the midst of all his musical commitments, Riley finds the time to give back to his community by organizing free concerts at Leithall, St. Thomas where, he invites other artists to come and do guest appearances free to the public along with Soundwave Sound System. Some of the artists who have given Riley support in this endeavour are I-Wayne, Lenin, Ras Shiloh, Sugar Roy, Conrad Crystal and Fantan Mojah.
Riley has also launched a clothes line called the ‘Black Soil Designs’, a Roots vibe style of clothing wear and accessories. “We give thanks to Mr. Dean Fraser, our musical arranger and the Black Soil band with musicians like Glen Browne on bass, Winter on keyboards, Monty on guitar, my harmony singers Sherita, Shereda and Connie. You know, it is a collective effort, I give them vibes and they give me vibes. We nah brag but, we know that we are making good music because we worked at it like when you are studying for a test and you say, yes! I am prepared. We pressure ourselves in getting it good; not by forcing anything but by practicing. And especially working with Dean, he is truly the ‘dean of music’. It has to be right, when you are working, it is a serious thing; afterwards you can go outside and laugh and talk, it is as simple as that”.
ROMAIN VIRGO
The Young & Gifted
 Romain Virgo is a son of Stepney District in the parish of St Ann, Jamaica which is about 1km from Nine Miles, the birth place of Reggae legend, Bob Marley. Virgo started singing in church at a very young age. He realized his vocal talents when he was just nine years old as he participated in his church concerts and did very well. At age eleven, he was awarded a place at Aabuthnot Gallimore High School where, he continued his singing career. He later competed in several cultural events winning several gold medals. His first taste of stardom came in 2006 when he led his school’s choir to second place in the popular local television programme, ‘All Together Sing’. In 2007, he entered and won the Digicel Rising Star competition. He was later endorsed by the Pepsi Cola company and his picture was displayed on the Pepsi drink bottle making him the first Jamaican to achieve such an endorsement. With that experience, an unyielding desire to touch as many hearts as possible through song was borne.
Virgo is so committed to his craft that he’s currently pursuing a degree at the Edna Manley School of the Performing Arts. He describes his singing personality as an ‘old soul’ as he loves the timeless melodies and compositions that many have regarded as ‘oldies’. He tries to find the right song that fits not only his personality but also his voice. His chart busting song ‘Mi Caan Sleep’, received massive air play globally and was recorded for veteran producer Donavon Germaine on the Penthouse label. The song ‘Wanna Go Home’, recorded on the Vikings label for producer Darwin Brown, also enjoyed massive air play. So, there is a lot of success in store for this new Reggae sensation who, is managed by Vikings Production. If Romain Virgo can remain grounded and keep his focus then we will certainly hear a lot of hit songs from this gifted artist.
MARCIA GRIFFITHS
Reggae’s First Lady
 Marcia Griffiths stands as the greatest female Reggae vocalist ever to emerge from the home and nerve centre of Reggae music, the land of Jamaica. The word icon, legendary, renowned etc. is sometimes hurled around inappropriately but not in this case, for Marcia has more than earned the right to that tag. From the very start of her career back in 1968, her early days at Studio One, her return to Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd’s studios in 1996 and her recent stuff with other legends like Beres Hammond, Marcia has set impeccable standards in Reggae music that other female artists can only but emulate. As leader of the I-Threes with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt, she garnered critical acclaim around the world for providing those memorable backing vocals to the late Bob Marley (1974-1981).
And, after over 40 years of relentlessly churning out the hits, Marcia continues to deliver in 2009. Ardent fans will remember classic cuts like ‘Feel Like Jumping’, ‘Truly’, ‘Hurting Inside’, ‘Medley Life’ and ‘Mark My Word’ from her Studio One collections but, if you look at the current charts, Marcia’s right up there alongside today’s artists, a mark of a true living legend. Watch out folks for no doubt, over the next 40 years and beyond, the then generation will be jumping around to the wonderful sounds of Marcia Griffiths – ‘Queen Majesty’.
BERES HAMMOND
Music Is Life
 At one time in Jamaica he was known as the soulful singer, the vocalist that wooed female audiences. But before long he became one of the island’s foremost balladeer, adding his whiskey-grained voice to the Reggae rhythms. The man, who brings out the Soul in Reggae music, makes Lovers Rock loveable and many couples made love to his music. Such is the man and his music.
Hugh Beresford Hammond was born in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica. To say that his songs were only about love would be an understatement as his lyrical content covers a variety of topics. If there was any one Jamaican artist that hits among the old and young generation a like, Beres has proven himself to be the artist who can move with the times. His songwriting skills are beyond a doubt, the very best and he stands head and shoulders over other singer/songwriters of this time. With a musical career spanning over thirty years, his accomplishments to date can be characterised as phenomenal.
GREGORY ISAACS
Reggae music’s ‘Cool Ruler’ is still ‘carrying the swing’ and lighting up the Dances!
 The UK’s Reggae fraternity may have coined the phrase ‘Lovers Rock’ (a significant sub genre) but long, long before that the likes of Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown and the one Gregory Isaacs were delivering those smooth, sensuous love songs to the masses whilst the British contingents were literally babies! Isaacs is one of the most enduring of Reggae’s legendary vocal artists. He began his career, like his friends, around 1968; the year Reggae music was born. Since then, he has churned out untold amounts of albums, singles; has toured the world over and his music can still be heard in the dances, clubs and on the airwaves. In fact, in 2010, Gregory was nominated for a Reggae Grammy with the album 'Brand New Me' (Tads Records). Of course, vintage classics like ‘Mr Isaacs’ and the definitive ‘Cool Ruler’ have never left Sound System’s turntables since they were first recorded!
Lyrically, Isaacs has and continues to be potently versatile as he conveys his personal brand of love songs, African consciousness and topical interests, naturally. His African Museum label, co-founded with Errol Dunkley in the early ‘70s, is still very much active as the ‘Cool Ruler’ is a Reggae soldier!
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