Barrington Levy

Barrington Levy

Barrington Ainsworth Levy (born 30 April 1964) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist from Clarendon, Jamaica.

Career
In 1977, Levy formed a band called the Mighty Multitude, with his cousin, Everton Dacres; the pair released "My Black Girl". Levy established his solo career the following year with the release of "A Long Time Since We Don't Have No Love"; though the single was a failure, the fourteen-year-old was a popular performer at Jamaican dancehalls. In an August 2014 interview with Midnight Raver, record producer Delroy Wright revealed that it was his brother Hyman Wright who first met Barrington Levy in the mid-1970s through Wade "Trinity" Brammer. According to Delroy Wright, Hyman Wright recorded a host of tracks with Barrington Levy prior to introducing him to Henry "Junjo" Lawes. These tracks would eventually appear on the album Bounty Hunter, which was released on the Jah Life record label. Both record producers recorded several singles with the Roots Radics, including "Ah Yah We Deh", "Looking My Love", "Englishman", "Skylarking", "Wedding Ring Aside" and "Collie Weed", all of which became hits and established Levy's career. Levy's next few singles were similarly successful, including "Shine Eye Girl", "Wicked Intention", "Jumpy Girl", "Disco Music", "Reggae Music", "Never Tear My Love Apart", "Jah", "You Made Me So Happy" and "When You're Young and in Love". Levy then recorded several duets with Toyan, Jah Thomas and Trinity, and appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in 1980 and 1981. Although albums were not terribly important in Jamaica at the time, Levy released four albums before 1980: Shaolin Temple, Bounty Hunter, Shine Eye Gal (United Kingdom) and Englishman, a critically acclaimed record. His success led to many earlier studio and sound system performances being reissued without his consent, releases he described as "joke business". By the time his 1980 album Robin Hood was released, Levy was one of the biggest Jamaican stars, and saw his international fame growing as well, especially in the United Kingdom. Levy made his debut as a producer on the rare 1981 showcase album titled Run Come Ya, which was issued on the Canadian Puff Records label. Taking a break from albums, Levy then released a series of hit singles, including "Mary Long Tongue", "In the Dark", "Too Poor", "I Have a Problem", "Eventide Fire a Disaster", "I'm Not in Love", "You Have It", "Love of Jah", "Under Mi Sensi", "Tomorrow Is Another Day", "Robberman", "Black Roses", "My Woman" and "Money Move". He began working with Paul "Jah Screw" Love and toured the UK in 1984, where he enjoyed a big hit on the reggae charts with "Under Mi Sensi", which was followed by the crossover hit "Here I Come", which reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart in 1985. He returned to LPs with Lifestyle and Money Move, followed by a British hit album called Here I Come; Levy received the Best Vocalist prize at the British Reggae Awards in 1984. The late 1980s saw Levy, now in his twenties, slow down his recorded output, though he continued to perform and record regularly, and played at Sunsplash every year from 1987 to 1995. His fortunes were revived by two cover versions of Bob Andy songs - "My Time" and "Too Experienced", both produced by Jah Screw, and he was signed by Island Records in 1991 for the Divine album. In 1991 he returned to the UK chart with "Tribal Base", a single by Rebel MC featuring Levy and Tenor Fly, which reached number 20. In 1993, Levy tried to break in the United States with the Barrington album, produced by Lee Jaffe, Andre Betts and Sly & Robbie, but it failed to give him the breakthrough he wanted and his relationship with MCA Records was short-lived. In the 1990s, Levy continued to release periodic hits in Jamaica, and more rarely in the UK, although his vocals were sampled and used in many underground and released jungle tunes. On 20 June 1991, he appeared on the BBC One music show Top of the Pops alongside Rebel MC (Congo Natty) and Tenor Fly as his track "Here I Come" was sampled by Rebel MC, with the record becoming the UK Top 40 hit "Tribal Base". In 1998, he released Living Dangerously, which included a collaboration with one of Jamaica's most prolific deejays, Bounty Killer, and with Snoop Dogg. The release was one of Levy's most successful since the start of the 1990s, and saw him finally achieve some success in the US. Levy performed on two tracks on Long Beach Dub All Stars 1999 album Right Back, and also played a few shows with the band. He was featured on a 1999 track by the Rascalz titled "Top of the World", also featuring K-os. Levy also appeared on two singles by rapper Shyne ("Bad Boyz" and "Bonnie & Shyne"), and on a track for drum and bass artist Aphrodite's 2000 album Aftershock. "Here I Come" returned to the charts in 2001, with a new version by Levy and Talisman P reaching number 37 in the UK. In 2004, he contributed to a track on the album White People by Handsome Boy Modeling School, a project by Prince Paul and Dan the Automator. He also did some collaborations with Slightly Stoopid on their 2005 album Closer to the Sun. Most recently, Levy made a guest appearance on the single "No Fuss" by Red-1 of the Rascalz, from his 2007 album Beg For Nothing. In September 2013, he released the single "Love the Way She Love", a collaboration with Mr. Vegas, and announced an acoustic album featuring new songs and reworkings of old songs such as "Prison Oval Rock" and "Black Roses". His album, Acousticalevy, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2016. In 2021, Levy was featured on the Gorillaz track "Meanwhile" alongside Jelani Blackman. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Levy at number 119 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. He performed on the West Holts stage at that year's Glastonbury Festival. Since 2011 Levy has been working on his album Survivor (the album originally had the working title It's About Time). In 2017 he released the first single from the album, "GSOAT", yet the album remains unreleased.

Personal life
Levy's son Krishane is also a musician, and is signed to Atlantic Records. Levy is a Rastafarian.

Albums (23)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Barrington Levy In Dub Barrington Levy Barrington Levy In Dub
The Lost Mixes From King Tubby's Studio
LUXXCD 015 CD Auralux 1979 2005
Bounty Hunter Barrington Levy Bounty Hunter JW 001 LP Jah Life 1979
Englishman Barrington Levy Englishman JL 003 LP Jah Life 1979
Shaolin Temple Barrington Levy Shaolin Temple DSR 9171 LP Jah Guidance 1979 1979
Shine Eye Gal Barrington Levy Shine Eye Gal BS 1039 LP Burning Rockers 1979
Englishman - Robin Hood Barrington Levy Englishman - Robin Hood GRELCD 509 CD Greensleeves 1979-80 1991
Doh Ray Me Barrington Levy Doh Ray Me LP Puff 1980 1980
Robin Hood Barrington Levy Robin Hood GREL 14 LP Jah Guidance 1980 1980
Run Come Ya! Barrington Levy Run Come Ya! JL 026 LP Jah Life 1981
21 Girls Salute Barrington Levy 21 Girls Salute LP Live & Learn 1982 1982
Poor Man Style Barrington Levy Poor Man Style TRLS 209 LP Trojan 1982 1982
Time Capsule Barrington Levy Time Capsule RAS 3222 CD RAS 1982 1996
Open Book Barrington Levy Open Book LP Dee Jay 1982-84
Hunter Man Barrington Levy Hunter Man BS 1050 LP Burning Sounds 1983 1983
Life Style Barrington Levy Life Style RNCD 7022 CD GG's 1983
Teach Me Culture Barrington Levy Teach Me Culture LL LP 11 LP Live & Learn 1983 1983
Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul ARLP 011 LP Arrival 1984 1984
Money Move Barrington Levy Money Move DSR 1663 LP Power House 1984 1984
Prison Oval Rock Barrington Levy Prison Oval Rock VPRL 1017 LP Volcano 1984 1984
Here I Come Barrington Levy Here I Come TORLP 003 LP Time 1 1985 1985
Corner Stone Presents Clash Of The 80's Cocoa Tea & Barrington Levy Corner Stone Presents Clash Of The 80's LP Corner Stone 198X
Reggae And Ska Twin Pack Barrington Levy & Michael Prophet Reggae And Ska Twin Pack TOSKA 857 CD Dressed to Kill 198X 2001
Reggae Vibes Barrington Levy & Sammy Dread Reggae Vibes RGLP 022 LP Joe Gibbs 198X

Credits & Appearances (31)

Production
Producer 4
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Doh Ray Me Barrington Levy Doh Ray Me LP Puff 1980 1980
Run Come Ya! Barrington Levy Run Come Ya! PR-MVC 010 LP Puff 1981 1981
Open Book Barrington Levy Open Book LP Dee Jay 1982-84
Teach Me Culture Barrington Levy Teach Me Culture LL LP 11 LP Live & Learn 1983 1983
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Sex Education
Greensleeves • 1980
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Sex Education Clint Eastwood Sex Education GREL 11 LP Greensleeves 1980 1980
Vocals 21

Also Appears On (87)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Roots Dancehall Party Various Artists Roots Dancehall Party SKCD 017 CD Silver Kamel 2003
Tougher Than Tough Various Artists Tougher Than Tough IBXCD 1 CD Island 1958-93 1993
Good Times Skank Various Artists Good Times Skank TJCCD 039 CD Trojan 1963-84 2002
Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set TJETD 161 CD Trojan 1964-94 2004
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
400% Dynamite Various Artists 400% Dynamite SJRCD 046 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 2000
Burning Up Vol 1 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 1 CDTRL 336 CD Trojan 1973-83 1994
Too Much Iron In The Fire Blackbeard & Various Artists Too Much Iron In The Fire TJDDD 163 CD Trojan 1974-84 2004
Punky Reggae Party Various Artists Punky Reggae Party TJDDD 040 CD Trojan 1975-80 2002
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 3 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 3 LP Rocky One 1977 1977
From Dubplate To Download Various Artists From Dubplate To Download GREZCD 4011 CD Greensleeves 1977-07 2007
Jamaica's Reggae Stars Various Artists Jamaica's Reggae Stars DBD 121 LP Dr. Buster Dynamite 1978-83 2001
Kingston 13 All Stars Various Artists Kingston 13 All Stars none LP Corner Stone 1978-83
Burning Rockers Various Artists Burning Rockers BSRCD 949 CD Burning Sounds 1978-85 2020
Wicked A Go Feel It Various Artists Wicked A Go Feel It CDTRL 375 CD Trojan 1978-85 1996
Irie Reggae Hits Various Artists Irie Reggae Hits DBCDD 106 CD Doctor Bird 1979 2022
Strong Like Samson Linval Thompson & Various Artists Strong Like Samson MILKCD 9 CD Hot Milk 1979-80 2015
Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee Various Artists Joe Gibbs Presents Dancehall Stylee DBCDD 117 CD Doctor Bird 1979-81 2023
Can't Stop Us Now Linval Thompson & Friends Can't Stop Us Now ES 1011 CD Easy Star 1979-82 2002
Haul & Pull Up Selecta Various Artists Haul & Pull Up Selecta TJDDD 061 CD Trojan 1979-82 2003
The Biggest Dancehall Anthems Various Artists The Biggest Dancehall Anthems GREZCD 4101 CD Greensleeves 1979-82 2002
Greensleeves 12'' Rulers Various Artists Greensleeves 12'' Rulers GRELCD 608 CD Greensleeves 1979-83 2007
Strong Like Sampson Linval Thompson & Various Artists Strong Like Sampson KPSLSCD 1 CD Jet Star 1979-83 1997
Dancehall Explosion Various Artists Dancehall Explosion CDTRL 430 CD Trojan 1979-85 1999
Dancehall Stylee Various Artists Dancehall Stylee CDTRL 416 CD Trojan 1979-85 1998
Let's Go To The Blues Various Artists Let's Go To The Blues CDTRL 417 CD Trojan 1979-85 1998
The Volcano Dancehall Albums Collection Various Artists The Volcano Dancehall Albums Collection DB2CD 143 CD Doctor Bird 1979-85 2024
30 Wicked Hearts Various Artists 30 Wicked Hearts BFMCD 112 CD Bushranger 197X 1997
Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 2 B&WCD 5004 CD Black & White 197X 2008
Creation Rebel DJ Spooky & Various Artists Creation Rebel CD Trojan 197X 2007
King Tubby Meets The Reggae Masters Various Artists King Tubby Meets The Reggae Masters CD Charm 197X 2001
Kung Fu ! Various Artists Kung Fu ! TJCCD 206 CD Trojan 197X 2004
More Pressure Vol 1 Various Artists More Pressure Vol 1 PSCD 50 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2006
Real Authentic Reggae Volume One Various Artists Real Authentic Reggae Volume One BBECD 105 CD BBE 197X 2008
Reggae For Lovers Various Artists Reggae For Lovers CD 307642 CD Hallmark 197X 1997
Special Request To All Dance Hall Fans Various Artists Special Request To All Dance Hall Fans CD Channel One 197X 2001
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 1 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 1 CD Rocky One 197X
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 4 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 4 CD Rocky One 197X
Spotlight On Reggae Vol 6 Various Artists Spotlight On Reggae Vol 6 CD Rocky One 197X
Stand And Give Praise Various Artists Stand And Give Praise SPECXX 2043 CD Trojan 197X 2010
Old To The New Steelie And Clevie Various Artists Old To The New Steelie And Clevie VPCD 4139 CD 17 North Parade 197X-200X 2008
Burning Up Vol 2 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 2 BS 1059 LP Burning Sounds 197X-8X 1984
Burning Up Vol 3 Various Artists Burning Up Vol 3 BSCD 563 CD Burning Sounds 197X-8X 1997
Channel One Story Various Artists Channel One Story VPCD 1678 CD VP 197X-8X 2004
Channel One Story Chapter Two Various Artists Channel One Story Chapter Two VPCD 0422 CD VP 197X-8X 2008
Dread Broadcasting Corp. Various Artists Dread Broadcasting Corp. TJDDD 167 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2004
Reggae Blasters Various Artists Reggae Blasters NE 1299 LP K-Tel 197X-8X 1985
Scorchers From The Mighty Two Various Artists Scorchers From The Mighty Two VPCD 4130 CD VP 197X-8X 2008
Trojan Dancehall Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dancehall Box Set TRBCD 023 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2000
Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set TJETD 243 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dub Rarities Box Set TJETD 278 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ganja Reggae Box Set TJETD 102 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2003
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Champion Sound Various Artists Champion Sound 7243 850718 2 9 CD Virgin 197X-9X
Ready When You Ready Various Artists Ready When You Ready GUMSCDXX007 CD Smugg 197X-9X 2002
Reggae Mandela Various Artists Reggae Mandela VPCD 2524 CD VP 197X-9X 2019
The Kings Of Reggae Various Artists The Kings Of Reggae RR 066-067 LP BBE 197X-9X 2007
Big Showdown Scientist v. Prince Jammy Big Showdown GRE 2103 CD Greensleeves 1980 2016
Heavyweight Dub Champion Scientist Heavyweight Dub Champion GRE 2104 CD Greensleeves 1980 2016
Dub Landing Scientist Dub Landing VPGS 7052 CD Greensleeves 1981 2018
Late Night Movie Lui Lepki Late Night Movie DB2CD 149 CD Doctor Bird 1981 2024
Yard Style Christmas Various Artists Yard Style Christmas LP MC Productions 1981 1981
Greensleeves 12" Rulers Linval Thompson & Friends Greensleeves 12" Rulers GRELCD 616 CD Greensleeves 1981-82 2008
Volcano Eruption Henry Junjo Lawes Volcano Eruption VPCD 4162 CD 17 North Parade 1981-85 2010
Dub Landing Vol: 2 Scientist & Prince Jammie Dub Landing Vol: 2 VPGS 7053 CD Greensleeves 1982 2018
The Trojan Dancehall Albums Collection Linval Thompson & Friends The Trojan Dancehall Albums Collection DBCDD 049 CD Doctor Bird 1982-83 2020
Cornerstone Connection Vol 2 Various Artists Cornerstone Connection Vol 2 none LP Corner Stone 1982-84
General For All General Various Artists General For All General JJ 161 LP Hitbound 1983 1983
Reggae Rockers Various Artists Reggae Rockers DHLP 2007 LP Black Joy 1983 1983
Presenting The Posse Vol 2 Various Artists Presenting The Posse Vol 2 UTLP 002 LP Black Roots 1983-85
Massive Various Artists Massive DM 207 196 LP Virgin 1985 1985
Massive Various Artists Massive V 2346 LP Virgin 1985 1985
Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 1 Various Artists Black & White Reggae Classics Vol 1 B&W 5001 LP Black & White 198X
Cornerstone Presents Battle Of The Superstars Various Artists Cornerstone Presents Battle Of The Superstars LP Corner Stone 198X
Dancehall Various Artists Dancehall SJRCD 196 CD Soul Jazz 198X 2008
Hidden Treasures Various Artists Hidden Treasures ES 1003 CD Easy Star 198X 1999
Junjo Lawes Hot Rocks From Volcano Various Artists Junjo Lawes Hot Rocks From Volcano CT 3024 CD Creole (Rhino) 198X 2001
Presenting The Posse Vol 1 & 2 Various Artists Presenting The Posse Vol 1 & 2 UPTLP 21 LP Uptempo 198X 1992
Reggae All Stars - Tuff Gong Music Various Artists Reggae All Stars - Tuff Gong Music LP 56 Hope Rd. 198X
Romantic Nights Various Artists Romantic Nights CD CSA 198X 1987
Sammy Dread , Linval Thompson, Johnny Osbourne, Wailing Souls Various Artists Sammy Dread , Linval Thompson, Johnny Osbourne, Wailing Souls AALP 46 LP Abraham 198X
The RAS Portrait Series Various Artists The RAS Portrait Series CD RAS 198X
Total Recall - Volcano Vol 1 Various Artists Total Recall - Volcano Vol 1 VPCD 1189 CD VP 198X 1992
Total Recall Vol 10 Various Artists Total Recall Vol 10 VPCD 1508 CD VP 198X 1998
Trojan Rastafari Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rastafari Box Set TRBCD 022 CD Trojan 198X 2000
When The Dances Were Changing Various Artists When The Dances Were Changing PSCD 22 CD Pressure Sounds 198X 1998
Out Of Many Various Artists Out Of Many VPCD 1962 CD VP 19XX 2012
32 albums
31 credits
23 labels
1979 - 2024