Tarrus Riley

Born in 1979 in the Bronx and raised in Jamaica, Tarrus Riley is rooted in a family reggae tradition through his father, Jimmy Riley, while forging his own path across roots reggae, lovers rock, rocksteady and touches of dancehall. He began recording as a teenager and established his discography with Challenges (2004), Parables (2006) and Contagious (2009), records that reveal songwriting focused on vocal delivery, harmonies and social or sentimental themes. His music favors flexible arrangements, often carried by a clear, melodic voice, with a constant link to Jamaican traditions. In 2012 Riley released Mecoustic, an acoustic project he performed live with the Blak Soil Band, followed by Love Situation in 2014, made with Dean Fraser in a spirit shaped by rocksteady. His career has since taken him to reggae stages across the Caribbean, Europe and North America, and he has pursued occasional collaborations, notably with Major Lazer and Ellie Goulding on “Powerful” (2015) and with Rvssian and Shenseea on “Lighter” (2020). That same year saw the release of Healing, which continues his blend of contemporary reggae, soul and Jamaican songcraft.