Tarrus Riley

Published: June 07, 2012

Tarrus Riley

Taurus Riley is often referred to as one of the greatest living Jamaican roots reggae and lovers rock singers. His tenor vocals and Rastafarian lyrics make him a wildly popular performer in the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.

Tarrus describes his reggae sound as “healing music”" and his passion is evident not only in his conscious lyrics but in the rapid pace and success of his releases.

Taurus Riley tours Europe annually, performing at the reggae festivals including the 2011 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, the Barbados Hennessey Artistry show in December 2011 (ewhich he headlined), Reggae Sumfest 2010, Jamaica’s Betty Wright and Friends, and the Palmyra Foundation’s Fundraising event.

Tarrus Riley Biography

Tarrus Riley was born Omar Riley in 1979 in The Bronx, New York City. He is the son of Jimmy Riley, the Taxi records singer who is most famous for hit hit Love & Devotion , and Lavern Riley, a nurse. Tarrus Riley was named for his astrological sign, Taurus, and his fast-paced early deejay style. Father Jimmy produced Taurus Riley’s early works on his Love & Promotion label.

Since then, Taurus Riley has made a name for himself with his roots reggae music that blends rich melodies and his soulful voice. He taught himself to play the keyboard, kette, congo, and bongo and now uses his deep musical knowledge to create layered sounds in a process he compares to cooking with perfectly blended spices.

Taurrus Riley’s lyrics, which perfectly meld Rasta teachings and romantic topics have made him a modern master of both roots reggae and lovers rock. He describes his sound as “healing music.”

Tarrus Riley is a self-taught musician who is also a talented keyboardist and percussionist. His debut album, Challenges, was released on the Yaman Label, and was soon followed by Parables, distributed by VP records and produced by Dean Fraser. The album’s title track, written by Riley on Max Romeo’s Three Blind Mice rhythm, is the only cover on the 15-track album. It’s his first cover ever, and is arguably as smooth as the original: John Legend’s Stay with you.

Riley has performed on several stages around the world, receiving positive reviews from the media in the Caribbean, Europe, and North America and the United States.

Tarrus Riley Discography

Tarrus Riley debuted in 2004 with his Challenges reggae album, which featured the singles Larger than Life and Barber Chair. Challenges was released on the Yaman label but he was soon scooped up by reggae and dancehall powerhouse VP Records.

Riley released his breakout sophomore album, Parables, in 2007 on VP. The albums success was due in part to Dean Frasers masterful production work. The album included Shes Royal, the most popular roots reggae song of the year, along with 13 other original reggae songs out of the 15 total tracks. The title track, Parables, is a cover of John Legends Stay With You and uses the Three Blind Mice rhythm originally created by Max Romeo. Shes Royal is one of the 80 reggae love songs profiled on Dub & Reggae.

In 2009 Riley released his third opus Contagious on Cannon Production. The album was distributed by VP Records. It contained the hits Start Anew, Contagious, Good Girl Gone Bad featuring Konshens and Superman, a cover of a Robin Thicke original.

Tarrus Riley was recently seen on the final night of the Reggae Sumfest 2009 Festival, where he has performed every year since Sumfest promoter Johnny Gouzong first heard his music in 2004. When Gouzong first heard the track, he was frantic to sign the young artiste to the Sumfest lineup. Gouzong has since described Tarrus Riley as the Prince of Reggae.

In 2010 he released Protect the People, which went on to top charts in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

In 2011, Tarrus Riley continued his conscious music trend, releasing his Black-History-themed Shaka Zulu Pickney which was featured on the Nyabingi rhythm from Bombrush Music. Storm Saulter directed the music video, which generally received positive reviews. His interest in educating the youth about Black History resulted in Jamaica’s Irie FM radio collaborating with him to create the Tarrus Riley Freedom Writers Competition. He also released music videos for Come Ova and Never leave I, 2 of his hit singles. Both songs have become anthems on Jamaican radio as well as in several Caribbean territories.

Riley released the acoustic album Mecoustic in 2012 and toured Europe in support of it with his Blak Soil band.

Tarrus Riley awards

Tarrus Riley’s work continues to accumulate awards and accolades including Best Singer, Male Vocalist, Cultural Artiste, Song of the Year, and Best Song. In 2009 his hit song She’s Royal took Jamaica’s CVM TV’s 15th Anniversary Award for the “Most Admired Song in the Past 15 Years.”

2011 was a big year for Tarrus’s awards, includng the EME (Excellence in Music and Entertainment) Awards for Vocalist of the Year as well as the 2011 Youth View Award for Cultural Artiste of the Year.

Riley’s full list of awards includes:

  • 2007 – Jamaica Observer Artiste of the Year
  • 2008 – Excellence in Music & Entertainment (EME) Awards – Cultural Artiste of the Year (nominated), Male Vocalist of Year Award, Song of The Year (“She’s Royal”)
  • 2008 – Reggae Academy Awards – Best Reggae Song, Most Popular Song (both for “She’s Royal”), Best Solo Male Vocal Performance, Breakthrough Reggae Artiste
  • 2009 – Caribbean-American Heritage Awards – Reggae Runnins Caribbean Heritage Award
  • 2009 – MOBO Awards – Best Reggae (nominated)
  • 2009 – Soul Train Music Awards – Best Reggae Artist (nominated)
  • 2011 – (EME- Excellence in Music and Entertainment (Jamaica)- Cultural Artiste of the Year and Vocalist of the Year (Male)
  • 2011 – Youth View Awards (YVA’s) – Cultural Artiste of the Year
  • 2011 – UNIA Marcus Garvey Award – For Contribution of Music
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