Omar "Tarrus" Riley, CD (born April 26, 1979,

Bronx The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, United States) is a Jamaican-American

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...

singer and member of the

Rastafari movement Rastafari is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion. There is no central authority in control of the movement and much ...

.Kenner, Rob (21 August 2009
"Reggae Singer With a Legacy, a Following and a Mission"
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

''. Retrieved 31 August 2009.

Biography

Riley was born in

The Bronx, New York The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County to its north; to its south and west, the New York City bo ...

, United States, and was raised in

Jamaica Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...

. His father

Jimmy Riley Martin James Ziggy Norman Riley (22 May 1947 – 23 March 2016), better known as Jimmy Riley, was a Jamaican singer who in addition to recording solo was also a member of the Sensations and The Uniques and was the father of Tarrus Riley.Kenner, ...

was a veteran reggae singer. Tarrus made his recording debut as a teenager. In 2004, he released his debut album, ''Challenges''. Riley has consistently racked up awards for his work. Among his accolades are Best Singer, Male Vocalist, Cultural Artiste, Song of the Year, and Best Song. Some of the awards institutions that have rewarded Riley include the Youth View Awards, The Star People's Choice Awards, EME Awards, and the Reggae Academy awards. He is the holder of Jamaica's CVM TV's 15th Anniversary Award, held in February 2009, for the "Most Admired Song in the Past 15 Years" for the hit "She's Royal". In 2009 Riley released his third album, ''Contagious'', on Cannon Productions. The album was distributed by

VP Records VP Records is an independent Caribbean-owned record label in Queens, New York. The label is known for releasing music by notable artists in reggae, dancehall and soca. VP Records has offices in New York City, Miami, London, Kingston, Tokyo, ...

. It contained the hits "Start Anew", "Contagious", and "Good Girl Gone Bad" featuring

Konshens Garfield Delano Spence, also known as Konshens, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, deejay, singer and businessman. Biography Prior to Spence's solo career, he was a member of the duo SoJah with his brother Delus . ...

and Superman, a cover of a

Robin Thicke Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 single " Blurred Lines" (featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams), which peaked atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, received ...

original. 2010 saw the release of the chart-topper "Protect the People", which scaled several charts in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. Early 2011 saw the release of the Black History-themed "Shaka Zulu Pickney", which was featured on a

Nyabinghi rhythm Nyabinghi, also Nyahbinghi, Niyabinghi, Niyahbinghi, is the gathering of Rastafari people to celebrate and commemorate key dates significant to Rastafari throughout the year. It is essentially an opportunity for the Rastafari to congregate and en ...

album from Bombrush Music. The video for the song, which was directed by

Storm Saulter Storm Saulter (born September 21, 1983) is a Jamaican filmmaker and photographer. He wrote and directed the 2010 film ''Better Mus' Come'' and directed the 2018 film ''Sprinter''. In 2020, ''Sprinter'' was released on Netflix. Life and career ...

, was well received upon its release. His interest in educating the youth about Black History resulted in the Tarrus Riley Freedom Writers Competition, which ran on Jamaica's Irie FM radio station. 2011 also saw the release of videos for hit singles including "Come Ova" and "Never Leave I". Both songs became hits on Jamaican radio as well as in several Caribbean territories. Riley has performed on several stages around the world. His performances have drawn credible reviews from the media in the Caribbean, North America, the United States and Europe. Riley tours Europe once each year, performing on the major reggae festivals in several European countries. Riley's most recent high-profile performances include the 2011 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and

Roskilde Festival 2011 The Roskilde Festival is a Danish music festival held annually south of Roskilde. It is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and the largest in the Nordic countries. It was created in 1971 by two high school students and a promoter. In 1 ...

in Denmark,

Reggae Sumfest Reggae Sumfest is the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, taking place each year in mid-July in Montego Bay.Johnson, Richard (2014)All Set for Sumfest, '' Jamaica Observer'', 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014 Sumfest started in 1 ...

2010,

Betty Wright Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul music, soul and Rhythm and blues, R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career ...

and Friends in concert in Jamaica, and the Palmyra Foundation's Fundraising event. He also headlined the Hennessey Artistry show in

Barbados Barbados, officially the Republic of Barbados, is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies and the easternmost island of the Caribbean region. It lies on the boundary of the South American ...

in December 2011, with a return to the same event scheduled for December 2019. Among his accolades in 2011 were the EME Awards (Excellence in Music and Entertainment) for Vocalist of the Year Male and Cultural Artiste of the Year. Riley also copped the 2011 Youth View Award for Cultural Artiste of the Year. Riley released the acoustic album ''Mecoustic'' in 2012 and toured Europe in support of it with his Blak Soil band.Riley's European Love Affair Grows – Artiste Happy With Response To New Album
. ''

Jamaica Gleaner ''The Gleaner'' is an English-language, morning daily newspaper founded by two brothers, Jacob and Joshua de Cordova on 13 September 1834 in Kingston, Jamaica. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Original ...

''. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012. He worked with saxophonist and producer

Dean Fraser Dean Ivanhoe Fraser (sometimes appearing as Dean Frazer; born 4 August 1957) Allmusic.com biography by Sandra Brennan/ref> is a Jamaican saxophonist who has contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings since the mid-1970s. He was awarded the Mus ...

on his 2014 album ''Love Situation'', which he described as "a true tribute to the rocksteady era", and features guest appearances from

U-Roy Ewart Beckford OD (21 September 1942 – 17 February 2021), known by the stage name U-Roy, was a Jamaican vocalist and pioneer of toasting.Jo-Ann GreeneU-Roy Biography, AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2013. U-Roy was known for a melodic style ...

Big Youth Manley Augustus Buchanan (born 19 April 1949, Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica),Thompson, Dave (2002) "Reggae & Caribbean Music", Backbeat Books, better known as Big Youth (sometimes called Jah Youth), is a Jamaican Toasting (J ...

and Mr. Cheeks.Bonitto, Brian (2014)
Tarrus salutes Rock Steady
, ''

Jamaica Observer The ''Jamaica Observer'' is a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica Kingston is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by ...

'', 19 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.Campbell, Howard (2014)
Tarrus walks down memory lane
, ''Jamaica Observer'', 5 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014. The album gave Riley his first number-one placing on the ''Billboard'' Reggae Albums chart in February 2014.Riley’s Love Situation tops Billboard
, ''Jamaica Observer'', 14 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014. Riley was featured on

Major Lazer Major Lazer is an American electronic dance music and DJ trio, which includes record producer Diplo, and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums. They were founded in 2008 by Diplo and Switch, with Switch leaving after three years in 2011. He was the ...

's song " Powerful", from the 2015 album ''

Peace Is the Mission ''Peace Is the Mission'' is the third studio album by American electronic dance music project Major Lazer. It was released on June 1, 2015. The album was preceded by the international hit single " Lean On" with DJ Snake featuring MØ; addition ...

'', along with

Ellie Goulding Elena Jane Goulding ( ; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer, songwriter, and activist. Born in Hereford and raised in Lyonshall, Goulding began writing songs at the age of 15. She released her debut single " Under the Sheets" through ...

. In 2020, he collaborated with male producer

Rvssian Tarik Johnston (born 12 April 1988), commonly known as Rvssian and previously as Russian (stylized in all caps), is a Jamaican record producer, singer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Head Concussion, a music production company situate ...

and female dancehall artist

Shenseea Chinsea Linda Lee (born 1 October 1996), known professionally as Shenseea (), is a Jamaican dancehall singer-songwriter and dancer. She is best known for her guest appearance alongside Roddy Ricch on Kanye West's 2021 song " Pure Souls," whic ...

on the song "Lighter" which emerged as one of his biggest hits in the Caribbean and their native country Jamaica.

Awards and nominations

* 2007: Jamaica Observer Artiste of the YearWalters, Basil (2007)
Tarrus Riley: 'The sky is not the limit, it's too close'
", ''

'', 11 January 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2009. * 2008: Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards – Cultural Artiste of the Year (nominated), Male Vocalist of Year Award, Song of The Year ("She's Royal") * 2008: Reggae Academy Awards – Best Reggae Song, Most Popular Song (both for "She's Royal"), Best Solo Male Vocal Performance, Breakthrough Reggae ArtisteRoyal treatment for Tarrus Riley at Reggae Academy Awards
", ''Jamaica Gleaner'', 26 February 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2009. * 2009: Caribbean-American Heritage Awards – Reggae Runnins Caribbean Heritage Award * 2009:

MOBO Awards The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Ba ...

– Best Reggae (nominated) * 2009:

Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony which honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the production company of '' Soul Train'', the program from which it takes its name, and ...

– Best Reggae Artist (nominated) * 2011: EME - Excellence in Music and Entertainment (Jamaica)- Cultural Artiste of the Year and Vocalist of the Year (Male) * 2011: Youth View Awards (YVA's) – Cultural Artiste of the Year * 2011: UNIA Marcus Garvey Award – For Contribution of Music * 2014:

– Best Reggae Act (nominated)Jackson, Kevin (2014)
5 For MOBO Reggae
, ''Jamaica Observer'', 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

Discography

*''Challenges'' (2004), VP *''Parables'' (2006), VP *''Contagious'' (2009), VP *''Mecoustic'' (2012), VP *''Love Situation'' (2014), Zojak World Wide *''Healing'' (2020), JukeBoxx Productions/Zojak World Wide

References

External links

* *

Tarrus Riley Omar "Tarrus" Riley, Order of Distinction, CD (born April 26, 1979, Bronx, New York (state), New York, United States) is a Jamaican-American reggae singer and member of the Rastafari movement.Kenner, Rob (21 August 2009"Reggae Singer With a Leg ...

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Tarrus 1979 births Living people Jamaican male singers Jamaican reggae singers