Black Uhuru

The Profile

Black Uhuru are a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972 in Kingston. They achieved major international success in the early 1980s and won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording in 1985 for the album Anthem.

Name derives from Swahili (“uhuru” = freedom). First winners of the Best Reggae Recording Grammy (1985, Anthem). Classic early-’80s albums include Sinsemilla and Red. Frequently collaborated with Sly & Robbie. Active from 1972 to the present with lineup changes.

Taddi’s review digs into Black Uhuru’s Sinsemilla (1980), praising its deep bass, African-tinged grooves, and slow-bloom impact. Standout moments include Happiness, Vampire, Push Push, and the subtleties in There is a fire. It contrasts the trio’s approach with Bob Marley’s immediacy, noting the album’s danceability and addictive pull. The write-up also recalls their UK success, a Rolling Stones tour, and their influence on artists like the Clash and the Police.