Artist

Big Youth

late 1960s sound systems · major recording rise 1972–70sKingston · Jamaica → Britain and beyond
THE STORY

A deejay who could preach, boast, sing and ride the riddim in the same breath. Big Youth helped turn early-1970s toasting into a full recording identity with Rastafari, street language and melodic phrasing at the center.

GO DEEPER

Manley Buchanan came up through downtown Kingston sound systems in the late 1960s and became the resident deejay for Tippertone. After early recording attempts, “The Killer” broke through in 1972 and a run of hits followed. Big Youth widened what a recorded deejay could sound like. His delivery moved between speech and melody, while his lyrics brought Rastafari, social observation, motorcycle imagery and street personality into records that could stand beside singers rather than simply decorate their versions. “Screaming Target” remains the essential doorway.

Tippertonesingjay edgeRastafari deejay1970s roots

How they stand with the others

Shared the riddimBig Youth follows U-Roy historically without simply copying him; melody and Rastafari helped create a different persona.

Listen

Screaming Target Big Youth · 1972 YouTube
Dreadlocks Dread Big Youth · 1975 YouTube
Jamaica Gleaner · Big Youth churns out the hits

People

Gregory IsaacsGussie ClarkeU-RoyTippertone Sound

Connected

U-RoyShared the riddim · the breakthrough before him RastafariSpirit of · culture inside the deejay form DancehallCame before · the deejay star as main event Deejay / Toastinga next-wave deejay voice

Sources

Jamaica Gleaner · Toasting and boasting: Big Youth churns out the hits past.jamaica-gleaner.comJamaican interview/history covering Tippertone, early sessions and 1972 breakthrough.

Last checked 1 September 2026

Big Youth on the map

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