World's Newest Reggae Icon

 Luciano, Jamaican roots reggae singer, scored his first big hit in 1993 off his debut album “After All” with the single “Shake It Up Tonight”, a cover of the R&B classic by Cheryl Lyn. In that same year it became the number one reggae hit in the United Kingdom.

            Luciano has continued to release hits throughout the 1990s in the reggae variety including “Its Me Again Jah”, “Your World and Mine”, “Lord Give Me Strength”, and “Sweep Over My Soul”. These songs restrain from delving out the usual dancehall beats of the time, and rather commit to relaying a more honest and spiritual message. In 1997, he released the single, “Messenger”, which in turn became his new nickname, or as he is sometimes referred to as “Jah Messenjah”.

Luciano was born on October 20, 1964, in the small rural community of Davey Town, Jamaica. Originally given the name Jepther Washington McClymont, Luciano was the seventh of nine children. As he grew older in the 1980s, Luciano moved to Kingston in hopes of beginning a music career. He fluctuated between recording companies for several years while making a living as an upholsterer. During this time his first producer and mentor, Homer Harris, suggested that he change his given name to give him more of a stage presence.                   

 Luciano continues to release albums today through LionI Records and has received a variety of awards and nominations for his work. In 2001, Luciano’s “A New Day” was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Reggae Album. On October 15, 2007, he received the Jamaican Order of Distinction for his influential role in the reggae music scene.    

In addition to songs of his own, Luciano’s albums also feature a variety of covers of popular artists including Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman”, Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train”, and John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

             In tribute to the recent passing of Michael Jackson, Luciano has released a cover of the single, "We Are The World" under DMusic Records and LionI Records. Through the collaboration of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, the 1985 hit showcased over 40 popular recording artists of the time in efforts to raise money for hunger and AIDS relief charities in Africa. Luciano has taken this enduring tune and transformed it into his own personal style of a soulful reggae solo.


By Kaitlin Southron
September 2009