Masterpieces, fan favorites, and new 21st-century staples for reggae beginners
Reggae, the laid-back music born in Jamaica.
Its comfortable rhythms and liberating melodies are loved around the world and are now actively incorporated into pop and other genres.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected classic and popular reggae tracks, including new 21st-century standards!
We’ve chosen a wide range of songs, from dancehall reggae and dub to raggamuffin, rocksteady, and even lovers rock.
We’ve also included many tracks by artists considered classics and legends, so if you’re new to reggae, start by listening to the songs introduced here!
- Classic dancehall reggae songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Western Reggae Popularity Rankings [2025]
- The world of rocksteady born in Jamaica — a roundup of must-hear classic tracks to get you started
- [For Beginners] Introducing Recommended Overseas Reggae Bands and Groups!
- Popular Reggae: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]
- The deep world of dub music: classic albums where you can experience the sonic magic born from reggae.
- Bob Marley's Most Popular Songs Ranking [2025]
- [2025] A roundup of artists and musicians from Jamaica — featuring many up-and-coming talents!
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- What is DUB? A Beginner’s Guide to Dub Music!
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Popular and Classic Brostep Tracks
- The Profound Appeal of Dub: Recommended Masterpieces and a Popular Classic
- Bob Marley & The Wailers Popular Songs Ranking [2025]
Classic, Popular, and New 21st-Century Essentials for Reggae Beginners (31–40)
Do The ReggaeToots & The Maytals
Toots & The Maytals—beloved by the New Wave crowd, including The Clash and The Specials.
Toots’s musical style kept evolving over the years, but isn’t this track, this era, the coolest of them all? Among the many Jamaican vocal groups, they stood out as true mavericks.
Private NumberBob Andy & Marcia Griffiths
A duet by Marcia Griffiths—member of the I-Threes, the backing vocal trio for Bob Marley & The Wailers who performed alongside Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley—and Bob Andy of The Paragons.
A classic of Jamaican soul where soulful voices intertwine.
Evening TimeJackie Mittoo
A member of the Skatalites and an essential figure in the early Jamaican sound.
His laid-back keyboard style truly shone during the ska to rocksteady era, and he played on recordings by numerous artists.
Today, he is a legendary and great musician.
Opportunity only knocks onceJimmy Cliff
Alongside Bob Marley as a pioneer of reggae who continued to share it with the world, Jimmy Cliff.
This track’s album was, amazingly, recorded at the holy ground of American soul, Muscle Shoals.
Unfortunately, it has not been released on CD.
It’s a hidden gem.
Nothing Gonna Change My Love For YouLukie D
He is known as a standout vocalist representing the reggae world.
Incorporating not only reggae but also other genres like gospel, his style is free and unbound by convention, and he has even produced covers of songs by Queen.
This track is a cover of the smash hit by George Benson and Glenn Medeiros.
Masterpieces, Popular Tracks, and New 21st-Century Standards for Reggae Beginners (41–50)
As the Money DoneRomain Virgo
Romain Bargo is a young, highly skilled singer with nationwide popularity.
During his school years, he served as the lead vocalist of the choir and earned second place in a contest.
He has produced numerous hits, both with original songs and cover tracks.
True To MyselfZiggy Marley
His father, as you know, is Bob Marley.
You might be tempted to say he’s just riding on his parents’ coattails as the eldest son, but he actually has a great voice inherited from his father.
By the way, his mother is Rita Marley, who was in the vocal group the I Threes and was also a solo singer, so I think he’s inherited the best genes.