Twinkle Brothers
Norman Grant’s roots institution: church harmony, handmade instruments, self-production and a catalog that kept growing when roots reggae fell out of fashion at home. Their steppers connection made them especially powerful in Britain and Europe.
GO DEEPER
Norman and Ralston Grant began singing together as children in Trelawny, first in church and local competitions, making instruments from whatever materials they could find. Early sessions for Leslie Kong, Duke Reid and Bunny Lee led toward the brothers’ own Twinkle label in 1970 and a fiercely independent catalog. Norman Grant became the group’s enduring leader, writing and producing roots records that connected Jamaican harmony to increasingly heavy steppers and dub audiences abroad. Albums such as Rasta Pon Top and Countrymen became central to their reputation. The Twinkle Brothers’ longevity is also a lesson in infrastructure: owning a label and controlling production helped the music survive changing markets.
Where the history is argued
- The group’s catalog contains many territory-specific issues and reissues; release dates for early albums sometimes vary by label and market.
How they stand with the others
Traveled with the peopleThe group’s international roots and steppers importance grew especially strong outside Jamaica while remaining grounded in Jamaican songwriting.
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Last checked 1 September 2026