15 Facts About Barrington Levy

Barrington Ainsworth Levy was born on 30 April 1964 and is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist from Clarendon, Jamaica.

In 1977, Levy formed a band called the Mighty Multitude, with his cousin, Everton Dacres; the pair released "My Black Girl".

Barrington Levy established his solo career the following year with the release of "A Long Time Since We Don't Have No Love"; though the single was a failure, the fourteen-year-old was a popular performer at Jamaican dancehalls.

Barrington Levy then recorded several duets with Toyan, Jah Thomas and Trinity, and appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in 1980 and 1981.

Barrington Levy's success led to many earlier studio and sound system performances being reissued without his consent, releases he described as "joke business".

Barrington Levy made his debut as a producer on the rare 1981 showcase album titled Run Come Ya, which was issued on the Canadian Puff Records label.

Barrington Levy returned to LPs with Lifestyle and Money Move, followed by a British hit album called Here I Come; Levy received the Best Vocalist prize at the British Reggae Awards in 1984.

Barrington Levy's fortunes were revived by two cover versions of Bob Andy songs - "My Time" and "Too Experienced", both produced by Jah Screw, and he was signed by Island Records in 1991 for the Divine album.

Barrington Levy performed on two tracks on Long Beach Dub All Stars 1999 album Right Back, and played a few shows with the band.

Barrington Levy was featured on a 1999 track by the Rascalz titled "Top of the World", featuring K-os.

Barrington Levy appeared on two singles by rapper Shyne, and on a track for drum and bass artist Aphrodite's 2000 album Aftershock.

Barrington Levy did some collaborations with Slightly Stoopid on their 2005 album Closer to the Sun.

In 2021, Barrington Levy was featured on the Gorillaz track "Meanwhile" alongside Jelani Blackman.

Barrington Levy performed on the West Holts stage at that year's Glastonbury Festival.

Barrington Levy's son Krishane is a musician, and is signed to Atlantic Records.