Roots Archives Forum

I can think of four, but I may be mistaken about one, and may have left some out...
King Tubby
King Jammy
Bob Marley - King of reggae music
King Yellowman

So, what constitues a 'King'? Based on these artists, I'd say it is the over all impact of the artist (popularity?) and the duration of the career. If this is the criteria, should he be 'King Scratch'?
Respect.

Lee Scratch Perry has already been called Lee King Perry hehe
http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/40

i don't know why they are called kings, there is a thread about Prince or King Jammy's name here
http://www.roots-archives.com/forum/read.php?2,9277

more Kings then...
KING Sporty (anyone remember him)
KING Sighta (truely great DJ)
KING Sounds (great guy)
KING Everald (wicked)
KING Oney (outta Africa)
KING Kong (sublime)

A (self-given) title means to impress your competitors...nothing less, nothing more.
Only Tubby's was the real 'King'. An innovator of music, what he did for all popular music equals all Jazz and Classic greats, selah.

I had forgot about King Kong!!!
The 7"s 'Jah Jah Rule' & 'Who Say' on the Thompson Sound Label are very nice.

Well i think it's because he was King Tubby's protege and so when he died (R.I.P.) Prince Jammy could emerge as a King.

Scratch should definitely be considered a King. Hasn't he been more influential and prolific than Jammy?

It depends on who gave the King title.

King Tubby and King Jammy were given there name by the dancehall crowd. I mean the main reggae public give them the King title.

King Jammy switches from Prince to King before King Tubby's death. I have some LPs from 87/8 that credit production to King Jammy. I think it was in 87 he received the King title cause this is the first original LP I have that use this name... He was simply the most important producer and sound system owner since the Feb 85 clash versus Scorpio (when he deliver Sleng teng).

Otherwise most of these King are "self-given" names as explain bellyman. King Kong refer to the film I assume... Typic jamaican film oriented name.

King Bob Marley is a special thing. His King title was given to him when he died and when jamaica really discover what he did on the international scene... I mean that he wasn't huge in Jam before his death. A simple thing illustrate that: I know only one sound system tape with a Marley tune on it before 81...

wareika

I learned, in jazz skool, that the old jazz pioneers named themself King, Count, Duke, ... to set them free from white America, to joke arround with the names that white rulers gave themself and last but not least was to give hope to the black community that one could be great in whatever no mather ones color! and you might not know this but the reggea/dub/ska/rocksteady pioneers had great admiration for the pioneers of jazz, King Tubby had an endless collection of jazz classics, take a listen to his horn sections ... loads of jazz influences

greetings

We must never forget the key board king JACKIE MITTO who was inventive original with every thing he did at STUDIO ONE we must also remember some of these artist back in the day used to big up them self in fact i have some of these so call KINGS original 7inch am not talking about cd am on about some think that scratch and crinkle and i think know what a load of hype back in the old days.