“Reggae is a confrontation of sound... it’s asking for freedom.”
– Joe Higgs
Who is
Joe Higgs?
The Father of Reggae Music
June 3, 1940 – December 18, 1999
​If it weren’t for Joseph Benjamin Higgs, Reggae music might have taken a very different path.
He’s not always the first name people mention, but among musicians and historians, he is known as the Father of Reggae. That recognition comes not just from his own seminal work, but from the role he played in shaping the artistes who went on to define the genre.
Early Life and Musical Beginning
​Joe Higgs was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in in the vibrant yet challenging neighbourhood of Trench Town, a community that would become legendary in Jamaica’s musical history.
From an early age, he was immersed in the rhythms of his surroundings. Higgs' musical journey began under the tutelage of his mother, a dedicated church choir singer. This early exposure to spiritual music laid the foundation for his unique blend of rhythm and message.
He began performing publicly in the late 1950s and in 1958, Higgs formed the duo Higgs and Wilson alongside Roy Wilson. Their debut hit single “Manny Oh” became one of the first songs ever pressed in Jamaica, selling over 50,000 copies and establishing Higgs as a rising musical force.
The Joe Higggs Foundation
The Joe Higgs Foundation exists to honour the life, works, and legacy of Joe Higgs — a visionary artist, trailblazing songwriter, and the man who helped give Reggae its voice. From his early recordings that bridged ska and roots reggae, to his role as vocal coach, teacher and philosophical guide to generations of artists, Higgs helped to shape the consciousness and sound of Jamaican music.
Later Years and Legacy
In the 1980s, facing political unrest and censorship in Jamaica, Higgs relocated to Los Angeles, where he continued to mentor emerging artists and engage in cross-cultural collaborations, including projects with Irish musicians that blended reggae with jazz and other genres.
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Joe Higgs passed away from cancer on December 18, 1999, in Los Angeles. He left behind a rich musical heritage and 12 children, several of whom pursued careers in music.
The Teacher of a Generation
​​Beyond his own performances, Higgs's legacy is most profoundly felt through his mentorship.
In the 1960s, Higgs, now a respected singer, songwriter and popular artist in Jamaica at the time, began holding informal vocal and music theory sessions at his mother’s home at 19 Third Street in Trench Town, freely sharing what he knew with any youth and young artiste willing to learn.
He nurtured a range of legendary talents including most famously Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Higgs emphasized the importance of "sound consciousness," teaching his protégés about harmony, breath control and the spiritual essence of the music.
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Bob Marley himself acknowledged Higgs' influence, stating, "Joe Higgs helped me understand that music. He taught me many things."
His Music and Artistic Philosophy
Higgs' solo work, though not as commercially prominent, is critically acclaimed for its depth and innovation. His 1975 album, Life of Contradiction, which was recorded in 1972 but its release was delayed - attributed to its unconventional fusion of Reggae, Jazz and R&B - is considered a seminal work that challenged and expanded
the boundaries of Reggae music.
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His lyrics often reflected the struggles and aspirations of the Jamaican people, rooted in his own experiences of poverty and resilience. Higgs believed that "music is a matter of struggle," viewing reggae as a medium for confronting societal issues and advocating for change.
​Joe Higgs' life and work exemplify the transformative power of music as a tool for education, empowerment, and social change. His dedication to nurturing talent and pushing the boundaries of reggae continues to inspire artists and audiences around the world.
