Biography
Reggae singer Johnny Clarke has long operated as an understated powerhouse in Jamaican music, cutting intense roots material alongside Bunny Lee during the 1970s, later embracing dancehall in the following decade, and sustaining his career ever since. Although recognition beyond Jamaica remained limited, Clarke stood among the island’s leading reggae figures throughout the 1970s, standing shoulder to shoulder with contemporaries such as Horace Andy and shaping the path for subsequent talents including Sugar Minott. The Lee-helmed releases None Shall Escape from 1974 and Enter Into His Gates with Praise from 1975 were laid down at King Tubby’s studio with the Aggrovators supplying the instrumental foundation; their commanding vocal delivery and songcraft placed both albums alongside other landmark roots reggae works of the period. Clarke pressed ahead across subsequent decades, issuing dancehall-inflected efforts such as the 1988 album Think About It and the 1995 set Rock with Me.
Born in Bull Bay, Jamaica, in 1955, the naturally talented vocalist launched his professional path in his late teens after triumphing in a neighborhood talent contest. He cut his first single, “God Made the Sea and Sun,” in 1972 under producer Clancy Eccles. The following year he recorded “Everyday Wondering” for Rupie Edwards, yet Edwards omitted Clarke’s name from the pressing labels; even so, the track became a hit. Shortly thereafter Clarke formed a partnership with producer Bunny Lee that yielded much of his most celebrated work. Between 1974 and 1976 the pair fashioned a string of potent roots reggae albums aided by esteemed dub engineers King Tubby and Prince Jammy along with Lee’s session ensemble, the Aggrovators. Their initial collaboration, 1974’s None Shall Escape, scored immediate success on the island, propelled in part by the near-titular hit “None Shall Escape the Judgement.” Additional well-received albums appeared in rapid succession, among them 1975’s I’m Gonna Put It On, 1976’s No Woman No Cry—which delivered a major hit via Clarke’s interpretation of Bob Marley’s composition—and the 1976 roots reggae landmark Rockers Time Now. Issued by Virgin Records, Rockers Time Now captured Lee’s signature “flying cymbals” sound, while King Tubby fashioned some of his most cherished dubs from the vocal tracks featured on the album. A falling-out between Clarke and Lee toward the close of the 1970s prompted the singer to seek other collaborators, among them Mad Professor in the early 1980s. The resulting 1983 album Yard Style emerged as a roots-oriented collection that generated several hits, notably the unsettling, end-times track “Nuclear Weapon.” By then Clarke had begun shifting toward dancehall, a direction he pursued further on 1988’s Think About It and 1995’s Rock with Me, both steeped in digital rhythms and production techniques. His recordings kept attracting fresh audiences over the years, and he continued to record and perform well into his sixties.
Born in Bull Bay, Jamaica, in 1955, the naturally talented vocalist launched his professional path in his late teens after triumphing in a neighborhood talent contest. He cut his first single, “God Made the Sea and Sun,” in 1972 under producer Clancy Eccles. The following year he recorded “Everyday Wondering” for Rupie Edwards, yet Edwards omitted Clarke’s name from the pressing labels; even so, the track became a hit. Shortly thereafter Clarke formed a partnership with producer Bunny Lee that yielded much of his most celebrated work. Between 1974 and 1976 the pair fashioned a string of potent roots reggae albums aided by esteemed dub engineers King Tubby and Prince Jammy along with Lee’s session ensemble, the Aggrovators. Their initial collaboration, 1974’s None Shall Escape, scored immediate success on the island, propelled in part by the near-titular hit “None Shall Escape the Judgement.” Additional well-received albums appeared in rapid succession, among them 1975’s I’m Gonna Put It On, 1976’s No Woman No Cry—which delivered a major hit via Clarke’s interpretation of Bob Marley’s composition—and the 1976 roots reggae landmark Rockers Time Now. Issued by Virgin Records, Rockers Time Now captured Lee’s signature “flying cymbals” sound, while King Tubby fashioned some of his most cherished dubs from the vocal tracks featured on the album. A falling-out between Clarke and Lee toward the close of the 1970s prompted the singer to seek other collaborators, among them Mad Professor in the early 1980s. The resulting 1983 album Yard Style emerged as a roots-oriented collection that generated several hits, notably the unsettling, end-times track “Nuclear Weapon.” By then Clarke had begun shifting toward dancehall, a direction he pursued further on 1988’s Think About It and 1995’s Rock with Me, both steeped in digital rhythms and production techniques. His recordings kept attracting fresh audiences over the years, and he continued to record and perform well into his sixties.
Albums

African Roots
2025

Unity
2025

Love Up
2025

Reggae Stream
2022

To Be Prayed
2022

Jah Jah We Pray
2021

Get Up and Fight
2021

Reggae Greats: Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke and Max Romeo
2021

Follow
2020

Strickly Reggae Music (The Blackbeard Years 1976-86)
2020

I Love Him / I Serve Him
2020

I Love Him I Serve Him
2020

Reggae Legends: Johnny Clarke
2020

Johnny Clarke Selects Reggae
2018

Creation Rebel
2018

Highest Region
2017

Sons of Jamaica
2017

Dread a Dub
2016

Sons Of Jamaica
2015

The Early Years (Platinum Edition)
2015

Sings Hits from Studio One
2015

Sings in Fine Style
2015

Lovers Rock
2015

Johnny Clarke Sings Studio 1 Hits and More
2014

12" Inch Collection - Johnny Clarke
2014

Johnny Clarke Essentials
2014

Johnny Clarke in Dub Playlist
2014

Johnny Clarke Meets Aggrovators & King Tubby
2014

Johnny Clarke Meets King Tubby and the Aggrovators
2014

Johnny Clarke in Dub
2014

12" Collection - Johnny Clarke
2014

Dread A Dub
2013

Johnny Clarke Super Hits
2013

The Early Years
2013

Sound Box Essentials Platinum Edition
2012

Gospel Reggae, Vol. 3
2012

Stop Them Jah
2012

The Reggae Artists Gallery Platinum Edition
2012

Johnny Clarke At King Tubbys With Dubs Platinum Edition
2012

Legend Platinum Edition
2012

Abba John, Disco 45
2012

EP Vol 5
2012

EP Vol 3
2012

EP Vol 8
2012

EP Vol 12
2012

EP Vol 14
2012

EP Vol 20
2012

EP Vol 15
2012

EP Vol 2
2012

EP Vol 4
2012

EP Vol 13
2012

EP Vol 7
2012

EP Vol 18
2012

EP Vol 19
2012

EP Vol 6
2012

EP Vol 11
2012

EP Vol 10
2012

EP Vol 16
2012

EP Vol 9
2012

EP Vol 17
2012

EP Vol 1
2012

No Man is an Island and Dub 12" Version
2012

I'm Still Waiting
2012

One Love
2012

God Create Them/God Create Dub
2012

Dreader Dread/Dreader Dub
2012

No Woman No Cry
2012

Ites Green & Gold and Dub 12" Version
2012

Every Knee Shall Bow/Every Knee Shall Bow Dub
2012

Crazy Baldhead and Dub 12 " Version
2012

Declaration of Rights/Declaration of Dub
2012

Blood Dunza/Blood Dunza Dub
2012

Give Up Badness/Badness Dub
2012

Nice Time
2012

King of the Arena
2012

Hold On and Dub 12" Version
2012

Don't Want to Be a Rude Boy/Rude Boy Dub
2012

Move Out of Babylon/Move Out Dub
2012

Simmer Down
2012

True Believer/True Believer in Dub
2012

Ten To One and Dub 12" Version
2012

Ten to One and Dub 12" Version
2012

Dem a Say Rasta
2012

Johnny Clarke Anthology
2012

Three Wise Men, Vol. 7
2012

Johnny Clarke Sings Love Songs: Early Days
2012

Johnny Clarke Sings Love Songs
2012

Best of Johnny Clarke
2011

Sings Studio 1 Hits
2011

Jackpot Presents Dancehall Selection with Deejays and Dubs
2011

Jackpot Presents Johnny Clarke
2011

She Wears My Ring / Baby Come On
2011

In Paradise / Sweetest Love Letter
2011

Let It Be Me / Dearest
2011

Roots Natty Congo / Lion Roots Dub
2011

You're Mine / We Will Be Lovers
2011

Move Outta Babylon / Move out Dub
2011

Behold / Since I Met You Baby
2011

Pure Gold - Johnny Clarke
2011

Crazy Bald Head / Crazy Bald Head Dub (Dub)
2011

No Woman No Cry / No Woman No Cry Dub
2011

Blood Dunza / Blood Dunza Dub (Dub)
2011

Declaration Of Rights / Declaration Of Dub
2011

King Of The Arena / King Of The Arena Dub
2011

Move Out Of Babylon / Move Out Of Dub
2011

Every Knee Shall Bow
2011

Love Me Forever / Tickle Me Girl
2011

Love Me Forever / No Man is an Island
2011

Ride on Girl / Phensic
2011

Ride On Girl / Phensic
2011

Creation Rebel / Creation Rebel Version
2011

Move Outa Babylon / None Shall Escape
2011

Rock With Me Baby / Rock With I
2011

Johnny Clarke at King Tubby with Dubs
2011

Crazy Bald Head, Disco 45
2011

Declaration of Rights, Disco 45
2011

Roots Natty Congo, Disco 45
2011

Essential Johnny Clarke and Dubs
2011

Legend
2011

Johnny Clarke Deluxe Edition
2010

Sings Studio One Hits
2010

Sound Box Essentials
2010

Johnny Clarke's Tribute to Bob Marley with Dubs
2009

Dancehall Selection with Deejays and Dubs
2009

Be Thankful
2009

Very Best (25 Massive Hits)
2007

Sings In Fine Style
2007

Come With Me
2003

Don't Stay Out Late
2000

Dreader Dread 1976-1978
1998

Tribute To Bob Marley in a Dancehall
1998

Rock With Me
1996

Roots Music
1995

20 Massive Hits
1995

Authorised Rockers
1991

Yard Style
1983

Can't Get Enough
1982

King In The Arena
1978

Authorized Version
1976

Rockers Time Now
1976
Singles

Legalize It
2025

Slaver Driver
2025

Rain From The Sky
2025

It's A Shame
2025

Stir It Up
2025

None Shall Escape The Judgement
2025

Chase The Devil
2025

Never Give Up On Jah
2025

Roots Natty Roots, Natty Congo
2025

African Roots
2025

Jah Love Is With I
2024

CHILDREN CRYING
2024

Dub My World
2023

Round and Round
2022

Strickly Reggae Music
2020

Swinging My Love
2020

If you want Jah / Run Come
2018

Creation Rebel
2018

Can't Get Enough - Single
2017

Waiting in Vain
2014

Rude Boy / Reggae Dub 12"
2014

None Shall Escape His Judgement
2014

None Shall Escape the Judgement
2014

I'm Gonna Put It On / Version of Class
2014

Enter into His Gates with Praise
2014

Bend Down Low / Jump and Practice
2014

Natty Congo Version 12"
2014

Up Park Camp / Dub
2014

Ain't No Sunshine
2014

Riding for a Fall
2014

Baby Don't Go
2014

Come to Me Softly
2014

Jah Jah Bless Joshua
2014

Every Knee Shall Bow (12" Version)
2012

Every Knee Shall Bow 12" Version
2012

I Am Lonely
2011

Baby Come Back To Me
2011

Baby Come Back to Me
2011

I'm Still Waiting
2011

One Love
2011

I'm Still in Love
2011

Love & Affection
2011

Time Will Tell
2011

I'm Gonna Put It On
2011

Mr Chatterbox
2011

Bend Down Low
2011

Let It Be Me
2011

You're Mine
2011

No Woman No Cry
2011

Put on Your Dancing Shoes
2011

Dearest
2011

Let Them Say
2011

Keep on Moving
2011

Nice Time
2011

Play Fool
2011

Stop Them Jah
2011

False Rasta
2011

I Man a Rasta (Extended Mix)
2011

Warrior
2011

Bad Days (Extended Mix)
2011

Greatest Love
2011

Jah Jah We Are Waiting
2011

God Create Them
2011

Move out of Babylon
2011

Ites Green & Gold
2011

Don't Want to Be a Rudeboy
2011

I Man Come Again
2011

She Wears My Ring
2011

Rockers Time
2011

Joshua's Word
2011

In Paradise
2011

Easy Skanking
2011

House Crusher
2011

Peace in the Ghetto
2011

Give Up Badness
2011

Judgement on the Land
2011

True Believer in Love
2011

Give the Little Man
2011

Be My Friend
2011

My Desire
2011

Take Heed
2011

Simmer Down
2011

Roots Natty Roots
2011

Be Thankful
2011

Roots Natty Congo
2011

Take My Hand
2011

Hypocrites
2011

African People
2011

Ride On Girl
2011

Love That Grows and Grows
2011

None Shall Escape
2011

Want-E Want-E
2011

Jah Jah See Them a Come
2011

Enter into His Gates
2011

If You Should Lose Me
2011

Behold
2011

I've Got the Handle
2011

I've Got The Handle
2011

Dem a Say Rasta
2011

Love Me Forever
2011

Going To A Ball
2011

Soul and Inspiration
2011

Walk Away
2011

Walk the Street
2011

Them Never Love Poor Marcus
2011

No Man is an Island
2011

Let Him Try
2011

Midnight Cowboy
2011

Left with a Broken Heart
2011

If It Don't Work Out
2011

I Wish It Could Go on Forever
2011

Please Don't Go
2011

I Love You Madly
2011

On the Beach
2011

Ites Green & Gold - Single
2011

Jah Love is with I
2007

Dreader Dread
2007

You I Love
1986

Fade Away
1984

Satisfaction
1979

King of the Arena
1978
