Bushman

“Call the Hearse”, “Grow Your Natty”, “Nyah Man Chant”, “Fire Bun a Weak Heart”.

Bushman is one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from the Jamaican roots reggae resurgence of the late 1990s. Gifted with a rich, resonant baritone, his music carries both spiritual depth and cultural authenticity, earning him recognition worldwide as a torchbearer of conscious reggae.

From the age of nine, he was immersed in music, singing in his local church choir. As a teenager, he became a selector for the Black Star Line sound system under the name Junior Melody (sometimes billed as Junior Buckley). Seeking greater opportunities, he traveled regularly to Kingston, where his talent caught the attention of legendary producers Steely & Clevie. Struck by his commanding vocal range, they recorded his debut track, Grow Your Natty, at Studio 2000, and christened him Bushman. His breakthrough came with the hit single Call the Hearse, which paved the way for his debut album Nyah Man Chant (1997). The album was widely acclaimed for its cohesive sequencing and roots-heavy message, and it remains a standout in his catalog.

Bushman followed with two albums produced by King Jammy - Total Commitment (1999) and Higher Ground (2001) - before releasing Better Place (2002) and My Meditation (2003). With Signs (2004), he expanded his sound to include subtle R&B and pop influences. Later works include Get It In Your Mind (2008) and Bushman Sings the Bush Doctor (2011), a heartfelt tribute to Peter Tosh that received widespread critical acclaim. His most recent full-length project, Conquering Lion (2018), reaffirmed his reputation as a stalwart of roots reggae.

In addition to his albums, Bushman has released a steady stream of singles, collaborating with respected producers and artists such as Bobby Digital (It’s So Easy), Morgan Heritage (Truly Great), Don Corleon (Hear Wah Me Ah Seh), Big Feet Records (Love Ya So Bad), and LA Records (Evil Con Evil).

Bushman’s reputation as a powerful live performer has taken him across all seven continents, with standout appearances at events such as the Melbourne Caribbean Food Festival in Australia, Rototom Reggae Festival in Spain, Reggae Geel in Belgium, the Roaring Thunder Concert in Lagos, Rebel Salute in Jamaica, and the Redemption Concert in Trinidad, among many others.

His contributions have been formally recognized with major honors, including the Steppin Razor Award (2019), the Peter Tosh Humanitarian Award (2022), and induction into the Reggae Walk of Fame in 2022.

While dancehall and more commercial trends have often dominated the Jamaican music scene, Bushman has remained steadfast in his devotion to roots and culture. This commitment has earned him enduring respect and a loyal international following, particularly across Africa and Europe. Today, he continues to embody the spiritual and revolutionary essence of reggae, keeping alive the conscious tradition established by the genre’s greats.