U-Roy revolutionized the Jamaican music scene by popularizing toasting – the rhythmic speaking over instrumentals. In the 1960s, he started as a deejay in Kingston and quickly gained recognition for his unique style. His breakthrough came in the early 1970s with hits like "Wake the Town" and "Rule the Nation," which he recorded with producer Duke Reid. His way of combining singing and toasting had a lasting impact on reggae and laid the foundation for later genres such as dancehall and hip-hop.
