Ijahman Levi

Born Trevor Sutherland, Ijahman Levi has shaped Jamaica's musical landscape across more than four decades. His most recognized recording remains the 1985 duet "I Do," performed with Madge, his second wife, which reached the summit of the British charts. Through an eclectic style and themes centered on spirituality, love, and humanity, he has continued to shape the direction of reggae and ska vocalists. After finishing high school in Kingston, he studied under vocal coach Joe Higgs. At thirteen he cut his debut single, "Red Eyes People," with Stranjah Cole guiding the session for Duke Reid Productions. Having formed the band Vibrations in 1965, he soon became a regular performer at the Q club after relocating with the group. Once that ensemble dissolved, he assembled Youth And Rudie And The Shell Shock and sustained live work with them until he launched his solo career as Youth in 1966. Several companies pursued him, resulting in singles issued by Polydor in 1967 and Decca in 1968. Momentum paused in 1970 when authorities arrested him and imposed a three-year prison term. While serving that sentence he took the name Ijahman Levi and composed the enduring piece "Jah Heavy Lord." Freed in 1974, he found shelter at the Twelve Tribes headquarters on St. Agnes Place, the Rastafari residence where he devoted extensive time to biblical study. In 1975 he recorded "Jah Heavy Lord" for the Concrete Jungle subsidiary of Dip Records. His contribution to Rico Rodrigues' Island album Man From Warika led label owner Chris Blackwell to sign him. Geoffrey Chung produced the two albums that followed on Island—Haile I Hymn in 1978 and Are We A Warrior in 1979. After leaving the label, he launched his own imprint, Tres Roots Records International, in 1980. The following year he married his second wife, Madge. He stayed active through the 1990s, appearing at Zimbabwe Sunspalsh in 1991 and receiving an invitation in 1996 to Gambia's state house as a guest of President Jammeh.