Top 10 Famous Jamaican Female Singers of All Time

There have been many Jamaican singers who played a pivotal role in shaping Jamaican music in the industry. Their unique styles and powerful voices have not just won millions of hearts but also made audiences worldwide dance to their tunes. From the soulful reggae music to the exciting beats that pull audiences onto the dance floor, these Jamaican female singers have not just captivated listeners but also spread the influence of Jamaican music globally.

From Phyllis Dillon to Janet Kay to Patra, all these Jamaican female singers have had remarkable journeys. Let’s explore more about these melodic artists and look at their journeys, works, and impacts on the music industry.

10 Famous Jamaican Female Singers

1: Phyllis Dillon

Date of Birth: December 27, 1944, St. Catherine, Jamaica

Date of Death: April 15, 2004, New York

Best Works:

• One Life to Live (1972)
• Don’t Stay Away (1967)

Accolades:

• Order of Distinction in 2009

Phyllis Dillon, the Queen of Rocksteady, was a Jamaican reggae singer who made a unique mark on the music industry. Her career began in the early 1960s, and she recorded for Duke Reid’s ‘Treasure Isle’ in 1966, introduced by Tommy McCook.

Dillon’s renditions of American hits like Bettye Swann ‘Make Me Yours’ and Stephen Stills ‘Love the One You’re With’ added a distinct Jamaican flavor to these songs.

Dillon is often recognized as one of the most famous Jamaican female singers. She launched hit songs such as “Perfidia,” “Don’t Touch Me Tomato,” and “It’s Rocking Time,” demonstrating her talent and artistic ability in music. However, after releasing the full album “One Life to Live,” she stopped recording.

2: Millie Small

Date of Birth: October 6, 1947, Clarendon, Jamaica

Date of Death: May 5, 2020, England

Best Works:

• My Boy Lollipop (1964)
• Sings Fats Domino (1965)
• “Don’t You Know” / “Until You’re Mine” (1963)
• “My Love and I” / “Tell Me All About Yourself” (1969)

Accolades:

• Order of Distinction in 2011

Millicent Dolly May Small, also known as Millie Small, was a Jamaican singer who gained popularity with her international hit song “My Boy Lollipop,” released in 1964. She became one of the best performers in pop music history. The song reached number 2 on the Hot 100 chart and was also listed on the Billboard 200 at 132nd place.

Millie made appearances on TV shows like “Around the Beatles,” and in 1964, she appeared in ITV’s “Play of the Week” titled “The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown.”

Millie Small’s talent transcended borders, as she showcased her musical prowess in diverse countries such as Singapore, Japan, the US, Brazil, and Argentina. Her versatility was further demonstrated when she performed at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne during the Moomba Festival, enchanting the audience with songs like “What Am I Living For” and “See You Later, Alligator.”

With her hit song “My Boy Lollipop,” she became the first female Jamaican singer to achieve international success, opening doors for Jamaican music worldwide.

3: Diana King

Date of Birth: November 8, 1970, St. Catherine, Jamaica

Best Works:

• Think Like A Girl (1997)
• Change Of Heart (1991)
• When We Were Kings (“1997)
• Ain’t Nobody
• Do You Really Want to Hurt Me

Diana King, also known as KingSinga, is a Jamaican singer and songwriter who rose to fame with her hit song “Shy Guy” in 1995 and gained widespread popularity in the music world. Known for her vocal prowess, sharp intellect, and graceful demeanor, King’s versatility is a testament to her diverse talent, seamlessly integrating reggae, reggae fusion, and dancehall styles into her recordings and live performances.

She has many hit recordings including ‘Love Triangle,’ a soulful ballad that showcases her emotional depth, ‘Summer Breezin’,’ a reggae-infused summer anthem, ‘LLIES,’ a powerful song about overcoming personal struggles, and ‘Spanish Town Blues,’ a reggae fusion track that highlights her versatility.

She also performed with Celine Dion and Brownstone at the Essence Awards, singing the song “Treat Her Like a Lady.” In addition, King publicly announced that she was the first Jamaican LGBT artist to come out to the world in 2012.

4: J.C. Lodge

Date of Birth: December 1, 1958, London, England

Best Works:

• I Believe in You (1987)
• Home is Where The Hurt Is (1991)
• Let Love Inside (2001)
• Someone Loves You Honey (1982)
• More Than I Can Say (1982)
• “Comfort Zone” (2013)

J.C. Lodge is one of the most prominent Jamaican female singers of the 80s and 90s. She is known as a reggae singer, artist, and teacher who effortlessly blends reggae, pop, urban soul, and country music. Born in Britain to a Jamaican father and a British mother, her diverse background has influenced her musical style and career.

Lodge first recorded Charley Pride’s ‘Someone Loves You, Honey’ in her own version in 1980. It was a great success and became the top-selling single of 1982. With this success, she released her next album, “Revealed,” in 1985. In 1988, she recorded “Telephone Love” for Clarke, which topped the urban charts in cities like New York.

More than just a singer, J.C. Lodge is a prolific songwriter whose compositions have been performed by numerous Jamaican artists. Her songwriting prowess, coupled with her soulful voice, has solidified her reputation as one of the most influential artists of all time.

5: Janet Kay

Date of Birth: January 17, 1958, London, England

Best Works:

• Love You Always (1993)
• That’s What Friend’s Are For (1977)
• Lovin’ You… More (2003)
• Dramatic Lovers (2012)

Janet Kay, also known as Queen of Lovers Rock, is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her musical journey when Tony “Gad” Robinson, keyboardist for Aswad, discovered her singing at a rehearsal studio and introduced her to Alton Ellis. In 1978, she recorded “I Do Love You” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” both of which topped the reggae charts.

The breakthrough came in 1979 with “Silly Games,” produced by Dennis Bovell. It reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, making her the first British-born black female with a reggae hit at the top. She also starred as Angel in Channel 4’s sitcom “No Problem!” (1983-1985), part of the Black Theatre Co-operative, a pioneering black TV production.

Janet continued her success with “Eternally Grateful” (1984) and collaborated on “Sweet Surrender” (late 1980s) with Lloyd Charmers. In 1990, she featured on Beats International’s “Burundi Blues” and joined Lindy Layton for a rendition of “Silly Games.” Her impact on reggae and her collaborations across different music styles have been significant.

6: Sandra Cross

Date of Birth: 1963, London, England

Best Works:

• I Adore You
• Comet In The Sky (1988)
• Foundation of Love (1992)
• Take Your Time (1989)

Accolades:

• Six consecutive wins as Best Female Singer at the British Reggae Awards from 1985 to 1991
• Honors from the Radio London Entertainment Celebrity Award in 1986

At the tender age of 14, Sandra Cross made a significant impact on global music. Her single “I Adore You” released on Studio 76 Records, not only topped Britain’s reggae chart for four weeks in 1979 but also showcased her exceptional talent and determination.

Her solo career flourished with hits like “You’re Lying,” which held the top spot for four weeks. She released her debut solo album, “Country Living,” in 1986 under Ariwa Records.

With several albums to her name, including “The Wild Bunch LP” on Ariwa Records and “Lovers Interlude” on Teichiku Records in 1992, Sandra Cross’s music continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, connecting them through her timeless melodies and powerful lyrics.

7: Grace Jones

Date of Birth: May 19, 1948, Saint Catherine, Jamaica

Best Works:

• Warm Leatherette (1980)
• Slave To The Rhythm (1985)
• Hurricane (2008)

Accolades:

• Bravo Otto Awards in 1985
• Q Awards in 2008
• Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress

Grace Beverly Jones, also known as Grace Jones, is a Jamaican-American icon known for her various careers as a singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She gained popularity as a fashion model, working with renowned designers and appearing on the covers of magazines like Elle, Vogue, and Der Stern.

In 1977, Jones ventured into music and achieved Top 40 entries on the UK Singles Chart with hits like “Private Life,” “Pull Up to the Bumper,” “I’ve Seen That Face Before,” and “Slave to the Rhythm.”

As an actress, she starred in numerous films, such as “Conan the Destroyer” (1984) and “Vamp” (1986), earning appreciation and nominations.

Her talents extended to music contributions for films like “Boomerang” (1992), where she also appeared as an actress. Her album “Hurricane” reflected her life and left a lasting impact as an artist, and was recognized as one of the most popular Jamaican female singers.

8: Judy Mowatt

Date of Birth: 1952, Gordon Town, Jamaica

Best Works:

• It Must Be Him / I’ve Fallen In Love With A Married Man (1970)
• Working Wonders (1985)
• Love is Overdue (1986)

Accolades:

• Jamaican female Grammy nomination in the early 1980s

Judith Veronica Mowatt, also known as Judy Mowatt, is celebrated as one of the most popular Jamaican female singers for her influential role in reggae. She gained recognition for her 1980 album “Black Woman,” a groundbreaking work that is hailed as one of the best reggae albums by a female artist, and which significantly impacted the reggae music industry.

She began her career as a dancer with the Estrelita dancers and later became a choreographer for the I-Threes, a female vocal trio that was formed to support Bob Marley and the Wailers. However, later, she started as the lead singer of the girl group the Gaylettes, known for hits like “Silent River Deep” and “I Like Your World.”

Mowatt made history as the first female to write, sing, and produce her own album with the seminal “Black Woman.” Her album “Love is Overdue” earned her the first Jamaican female Grammy nomination in the early 1980s, a significant achievement that brought international recognition to her talent. In 1985, her album “Working Wonders” received a nomination alongside American R&B legend Anita Baker for the NAACP IMAGE Award, further solidifying her place in music history.

9: Patra

Date of Birth: November 22, 1972, Kingston, Jamaica

Best Works:

• Queen of the Pack (1993)
• Where I’ve Been (2005) (Unreleased)
• The Great Escape (2003)

Patra, also known as Dorothy Smith, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer known for her impactful career. Her debut album “Queen of The Pack” topped the Reggae albums chart, featuring hits like “Think (About It)” in 1993. She gained further fame with her remake of Grace Jones’ “Pull Up to the Bumper,” which charted on the Hot 100 and R&B lists in 1995.

Patra also collaborated on C+C Music Factory’s “Take a Toke” remix the same year. After a hiatus, she returned with her third album, “The Great Escape,” in 2003, followed by “Where I’ve Been” in 2005.

In recent years, she has continued to perform and work on new music projects, establishing her legacy among Jamaican female singers.

10: Shenseea

Date of Birth: October 1, 1996, Mandeville, Jamaica

Also known as: Chinsea Linda Lee

Best Works:

• Run This Town (2018)
• Alpha (2022)
• Never Gets Late Here (2024)

Accolades:

• NAACP Image Award
• MOBO Award

Shenseea, also known as Chinsea Linda Lee, is a Jamaican singer and songwriter signed to Rockstar Music Label. She gained fame for remixing Vybz Kartel’s “Loodi ” and performing at Reggae Sumfest. She won awards like “Young Hot and Hype Artiste” at the Youth View Awards and collaborated with Sean Paul on “Rolling.”

Her international presence grew with tours and features, including on Christina Aguilera’s album “Liberation.” Shenseea is celebrated for her feature on Kanye West’s 2021 hit “Pure Souls,” which earned a Grammy nomination. Notably, she teamed up with Kanye West for his album “Donda” in 2021, marking a significant moment in her career.