Burning Spear

The Profile

Burning Spear is the stage name of Jamaican roots reggae singer-songwriter Winston Rodney, a pioneer of spiritually and politically charged reggae rooted in Rastafari and the teachings of Marcus Garvey. Active since the late 1960s, he is a two-time Grammy winner and a defining voice of roots reggae.

Jamaican roots reggae icon; stage name of Winston Rodney; active since 1969; known for Marcus Garvey and Social Living; Grammy winner for Calling Rastafari and Jah Is Real.

One glowing review praises Burning Spear’s voice and radical spirit, linking his music to Africa, Marcus Garvey, and Rastafari. Rocking Time is framed as hypnotic, dub-tinged minimalism that foreshadows the horn-driven power of Marcus Garvey. The tone is celebratory and reverent, spotlighting his shamanic, mantra-like delivery.