The top 20 dancehall artists in the world right now 2023
Music is a universal language that everyone speaks. That is why it would not be strange to see someone from the west play music from the other side of the globe and vice versa. The top 20 dancehall artists in the world today have followers from every corner of the world and keep releasing new projects to earn new fans.
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Dancehall is one of the major music genres today. The genre originated in the late 1970s in Jamaica and has since spread to be a favourite among music lovers worldwide. Initially, many critics considered dancehall a smaller version of reggae than the roots style.
Top 20 dancehall artists
Roots reggae had become mainstream before the 1970s, and dancehall brought a fashionable new twist to the genre. Pioneer dancehall music artists include Bounty Killer, Mr Vegas, and Lady Saw. The artists are either making records behind the scenes or being active in the industry.
1. Vybz Kartel
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Vybz Kartel is no doubt a household name in the international dancehall scene. The Jamaican artist popularity keeps rising despite him facing murder charges and serving time for killing a businessman in 2011.
The Jamaican recording artist, also known as world boss, has been expanding his discography even while in prison. To date, Vybz Kartel has about 1000 songs. He is one of the most popular dancehall artists.
2. Popcaan
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Popcaan began ruling the dancehall scene in his early 20s. The Jamaican deejay, singer and songwriter, first became known when he collaborated with Vybz Kartel on the song Clarks in 2010. The singer has since grown his brand and gone ahead to release about a dozen mixtapes and albums. He is also an actor, featured in films like The Intent 2: The Come Up (2018) and Please Forgive Me (2017).
3. Mavado
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Gully King Mavado has been active in the music scene since the early 2000s. The 40-year-old singer and deejay first came into the limelight after releasing his first official single Real McKoy, in 2005. He became people's favourite when he released the song Weh Dem a Do on the Red Bull & Guinness riddim.
Mavado worked on other songs before releasing his debut album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks in 2007. The singer has since collaborated with international stars like Chipmunk, DJ Khaled and even appeared in Drake’s video.
4. Sean Paul
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Sean Paul needs no introduction to reggae, ragga and dancehall lovers. The 48-year-old Jamaican recording artist is considered one of dancehall’s most prolific artists of all time. He has been active in the music scene since the early 90s.
Sean Paul has 15 albums and a Grammy to his name. He is a 5-time Grammy Award nominee and Grammy Award winner for Dutty rock, which was rated the best reggae album in 2004.
5. Cecile
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Dancehall bad girl Cecile is an icon who should be celebrated for being one of the most consistent female dancehall artists. She took music professionally in 1995 when Steven Ventura, the Celestial Sound Recordings owner, noticed her.
She worked on her singles and demo tapes before becoming an artist that everyone wanted to be associated with. Her debut album, Bad Gyal, was released in 2008. She has since recorded seven more albums.
6. Beenie Man
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Beenie Man has been the king of the dancehall scene for the longest time now. The 47-year-old music legend came to be popular in the 80s and 2000s as he was starting his career. The star is also a deejay with over 30 albums and thousands of singles.
Beenie Man is one of the few artists who are still relevant in the dancehall, reggae and raga genres despite being in the industry for decades. He is one of the most celebrated Jamaican dancehall artists.
7. Spice
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Spice is one of the female dancehall artists with excellent chemistry when making music with dancehall king Vybz Kartel. The two have collaborated on various songs, including Conjugal Visit, Back Way, and Romping Shop, which have all been hits. The 38-year-old recording artist, singer and songwriter came into the limelight in early 2000 and has so far released about 1000 songs, 3 EPs and mixtapes.
8. Buju Banton
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Buju Banton is not your average dancehall artist. Since he started, the singer has been relevant in the industry and went to jail and released after serving time for ten years. He is known for songs like Blessed, Hills and Valleys, Buries Alive, Destiny, and Love Black Woman. He has over 30 albums to his name.
9. Alkaline
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Alkaline is one of the best dancehall artists. He is known for having surreal eyes, which have had fans question if he had tattooed his pupils or not. It is only recently that the 27-year-old Jamaican artist revealed that he has been rocking black eye contacts and that he had not tattooed his pupils.
Many believed that Alkaline would follow in Vybz Kartel’s footsteps when he first came into the scene. He has been making records and using Kartel’s style as an inspiration for his projects.
10. Konshens
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Konshens is known for club bangers and party songs. Get the man in the studio, and he will produce hits that will top charts for months. The singer was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1985 and has been active in the music scene for about two decades now.
Some of his renowned hits include Gal A Bubble, Pull Up To Mi Bumper, Walk and Wine, Do Sum’n, Simple Songs and Bruck Off Mi C*ck. He is rated among top dancehall artists. Konshens has 10 albums and EPs.
11. Alaine
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Alaine Laughton has always been a darling to dancehall lovers. The 42 years old singer and songwriter never fail to perform whether she is making a party song or a worship song. Her musical prowess and bubbly spirit are what makes her a dancehall favourite.
Alaine was born in 1978 in New Jersey, USA and got into the music scene in 2003. The dancehall, RnB and reggae artist was baptized in 2019 and released the single Boast Inna God.
12. Mr Vegas
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For some time, many considered Mr Vegas king of Jamaican dancehall together with Beenie Man's likes. He is known for his distinct voice and fantastic music. The 46-year-old musician first came into the music scene in 1997 and had his debut album Heads High in 1998.
Mr Vegas got his name from his friend, who teased him that he kicked the ball like a Las Vegas dancer. Today, he has over a dozen albums, and two Grammy Award wins to his name.
13. Elephant Man
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Elephant Man started his career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew in 1995. The dancehall and reggae veteran later went solo and made a name for himself. He sings aggressively and always gets his fans to dance along to his tune.
Other than his wonderful music, Elephant Man is known for his unique dressing style, which includes dying his hair in bright colours like red, green and yellow. He also has a one of a kind voice that is easily recognizable. The 45-year-old musician has eight albums.
14. Chris Martin
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Any fan that enjoys lover’s rock and soothing dancehall sounds listens to one of the best reggae dancehall artists, Chris Martin. The artist has a mellow voice and knows how to get one on feet with his sweet-sounding and melodic love songs. He has been active since 2005 and has so far released three albums and EPs. Some of his popular hits include Is It Love, Take My Wings, Let Her Go, and Nah Go Change.
15. Koffee
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Koffee has achieved what many of her peers can only dream of at 21 years of age. Having been in the industry for a little over three years, he is doing well for herself. She released her debut single ‘Burning’ in 2017.
After gaining popularity, she went viral on Instagram while singing the song Legend, a tribute to Jamaican star Usain Bolt. Koffee became the youngest person and only woman to win a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category at 19.
16. Shaggy
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Everyone was singing along to It Wasn't Me and Strength of a Woman throughout the 2000s as Shaggy grew to be an international star. The 52-year-old singer, DJ, and actor is a two-time Grammy Award winner and 7-time nominee. Shaggy is known as a superstar in the music scene, but not many know that Mr Boombastic was in the military for a short period in his life.
The musician enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 and obtained the MOS of 0811 (Field Artillery Cannon Crewman). He served with a Field Artillery Battery in the 10th Marine Regiment during the Persian Gulf War.
17. Tommy Lee Sparta
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33-year-old Montego Bay native is one of the most aggressive dancehall artists today. Tommy Lee Sparta has for the longest time been one of Vybz Kartel’s closest associates. He gained popularity when he signed to Adidjahiem Records and later on when working with the Portmore Empire crew. Tommy Lee Sparta has recorded eight albums and collaborated with some of the dancehall scene's biggest names.
18. Chronixx
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Chronixx is one of the youngest dancehall stars that have shown effort ever since he became a household name. He became a sensation when he released his hit Smile Jamaica. The Here Comes Trouble singer got his name from his father, Chronicle, and decided to go with Little Chronicle.
He later changed to Chronixx. Other significant hits by the 28-year-old include Sweet Love, Eternal Light, Skankin Sweet, Ghetto Paradise, and Ain’t No Giving In.
19. Macka Diamond
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Macka Diamond is known for her longevity in the music scene and among the pioneers that paved the way for female dancehall artists. The 48-year-old started her career in the 1980s and has had a few name changes before settling with Macka Diamond. The Dye Dye singer first went by Lady Charm before changing to Lady Worries and later Lady Mackerel. Apart from singing, she is also an author of 4 books.
20. Gyptian
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Hold You was a 2010-2015 dancehall anthem for all lovers of dancehall and reggae. Gyptian made the song hit and even made it better with the remixes that followed. The singer first came into the limelight in 2004 and has been consistent with music as he grows his discography. The dancehall, roots reggae and lovers rock singer have over five albums and EPs.
Music loves that enjoy dancehall music also love Jamaican culture. Fans worldwide travel to the Caribbean country to enjoy the Jamaican experience and get in touch with the locals. The top 20 dancehall artists in the world have been making international tours which add to their net worth.
Yen.com.gh shared a comprehensive list of the top 20 richest musicians in Ghana in 2021 and their net worth. Many individuals have become millionaires by nurturing their skills and talent in music. The richest musicians in Ghana release hit after hit, thus becoming a majority's favourite.
The richest musicians in Ghana continue to make several million dollars as they entertain their local and international fans. These musicians are the epitome of hard work, passion, and consistency.
Source: YEN.com.gh