Wonder what is that common thing between Bob Marley, a spicy plat of Jerk Chicken, and rum? Jamaica, that is right! The crown of Caribbean attraction, revered as the “birthplace of reggae”, Jamaica has wooed and wowed the world for more reasons than anyone can fathom. While many love to stereotype the country as a musical powerhouse or foodies paradise, the true-blue Jamaican charm and attraction supersedes its admittedly awesome food, rum, music. You will be surprised to know that the otherwise hedonistic Jamaicans have brainchild some exciting inventions that we bet you had no idea belonged to this far-flung Caribbean land. Don’t quite believe so? Well, then read on. Did you know Jamaicans were the first to create a bio-engineered fruit? Or the first to identify Aedes Aegypti as the cause of dengue? Or they were the first to find a formulaic cure for prostate cancer? Discover all about some of Jamaica’s worthiest sons and daughters of soil in the biographies on famous Jamaicans. Their timeline, trivia, and interesting facts are worth your time and a read!
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Birthdate: February 6, 1945
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nine Mile, Jamaica
Died: April 11, 1981
Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer and songwriter who sold 20 million records in his career. He was the first international star to come from the ‘Third World’ and is considered one of the forerunners of reggae. A fusion of reggae, ska and rocksteady was his music’s hallmark. Marley died due to cancer at the age of 36.
Birthdate: August 21, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname ‘Lightning Bolt’. He holds the world record for 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay and is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016).
Birthdate: August 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Patrick Ewing is a Jamaican-American former basketball player who played for popular NBA teams like New York Knicks and Seattle SuperSonics. He also won gold medals at the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games as part of the US men's national basketball teams. In 2008, Patrick Ewing was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.
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Birthdate: August 17, 1887
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: June 10, 1940
Marcus Garvey is remembered as an iconic Black separatist leader who believed that all African-origin people in Europe and America should go back to Africa. He established the Universal Negro Improvement Association, but his activism was not accepted by civil rights activists, who believed in racial integration and not segregation.
Birthdate: January 9, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Sean Paul is a Jamaican recording artist and producer, widely considered one of dancehall's most prolific artists. He is best known for his singles, Temperature and Get Busy. Most of his albums have received Grammy nominations under the Best Reggae Album category.
Birthdate: September 21, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kingston
Known as the most capped West Indian player in international cricket, Chris Gayle is also the only player with a triple hundred in Tests, a double century in ODIs, and a century in T20Is. Breaking Brian Lara's record of 10,348 runs, he became the leading West Indian ODI run-scorer.
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Shaggy(Reggae Musician & DJ With Hits Like 'It Wasn't Me'. 'Boombastic' and 'In The Summertime')
Birthdate: October 22, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaican reggae singer Orville Richard Burrell, better known as Shaggy, has delivered international hits such as It Wasn't Me and In The Summertime. The two-time Grammy-winning artist was also bestowed with the Jamaican Order of Distinction. He was part of the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Desert Storm.
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Birthdate: October 17, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Trenchtown, Jamaica
Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley, son of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley and Rita Marley, is known for leading the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is also an avid philanthropist and has worked with charities such as Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment and Little Kids Rock.
Birthdate: January 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kingston
Jamaican reggae/dancehall musician Vybz Kartel, also known as Worl' Boss, soared to fame with hits such as Romping Shop and Summer Time. In 2014, he was convicted of the murder of his associate Clive "Lizard" Williams and received a life sentence. However, he continues to release music from prison.
Birthdate: July 21, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kingston
Birthdate: December 26, 1989
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: St. James Parish, Jamaica
Yohan Blake is a Jamaican sprinter who became the youngest 100 meters world champion when he won a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2011. He also won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as part of the Jamaican relay team. Yohan Blake is the second-fastest man in both 100 meters and 200 meters events.
Birthdate: April 11, 1988
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Port Antonio, Jamaica
Born in Jamaica, Dillian Whyte moved with his family to the UK as a 12-year-old. Initially a British kickboxing champion, he later moved on to boxing. He was banned for 2 years for consuming a banned drug. He apparently had his first child at age 13, becoming one of the world’s youngest fathers.
Birthdate: May 19, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Rohan Marley is a Jamaican entrepreneur and son of the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley. A former football player, Marley played for the University of Miami, where he was teammates with Dwayne Johnson, Ray Lewis, and Warren Sapp. He then went on to play professional football for the Ottawa Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League.
Birthdate: April 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Died: December 20, 1995
The Kingston-born American actress, who began her career with the New York Shakespearean Festival, acted in a number films and television series and won Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the crime drama Gabriel's Fire. Madge Sinclair was also a voice artist in the famous animated film The Lion King, released a year before she succumbed to leukaemia.
Birthdate: July 25, 1946
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Cuban-born Jamaican singer Alpharita Constantia Marley, or Rita Marley, was married to the reggae legend Bob Marley. She was initially part pf the group I Threes and contributed to the backing vocals for Bob Marley and the Wailers. She later released an autobiography, detailing her life with her husband.
Birthdate: October 19, 1944
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Westmoreland, Jamaica
Died: September 11, 1987
Abandoned by his parents as a child, Peter Tosh grew up learning music by watching others perform. Part of the Jamaican reggae group Bob Marley and the Wailers, he advocated for legalization of marijuana. He loved unicycling. He was shot dead during a robbery attempt by three gunmen.
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Safaree Samuels(Rapper and Songwriter, Best Known as the Cast of VH1 Reality Show 'Love & Hip Hop")
Birthdate: July 4, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
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Stephen Marley(The Melody Makers. He has released albums like Mind Control in 2007)
Birthdate: April 20, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Stephen Marley is a Jamaican-American musician best known for his collaborations with his brothers Damian and Ziggy Marley. Stephen, the son of Bob Marley, is a multiple-time Grammy Award winner and a successful musician, both in the Jamaican and American music industry.
Birthdate: July 15, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Buju Banton is a Jamaican recording artist widely regarded as one of the most important and celebrated artists in the history of Jamaican music. He is best known for his album Mr. Mention, which became one of the best-selling Jamaican albums of all time. In 2010, Buju Banton won the Grammy Award for his tenth studio album, Before The Dawn.
Birthdate: April 2, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Shawn Rhoden was a Jamaican-American professional bodybuilder best remembered for winning the 2018 Mr. Olympia contest. He defeated the seven-time champion Phil Heath and became the oldest bodybuilder to win the prestigious title at the age of 43. Shawn Rhoden suffered a fatal heart attack in 2021.
Birthdate: December 27, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kingston
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a Jamaican sprinter who achieved international recognition in 2008 when she won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing. She then went on to win gold medals at the 2012 and 2020 Olympic Games. Counted among the greatest sprinters of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also has many World Championship gold medals under her belt.
Birthdate: December 11, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Roy Hibbert is a Jamaican-American retired basketball player best known for his achievements in the NBA. A two-time NBA All-Star, Hibbert has played for popular teams like Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets. In the 2013-14 NBA season, Roy Hibbert was the runner-up for the prestigious NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Birthdate: October 24, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Cindy Breakspeare is a Canadian-Jamaican jazz singer, musician, and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss World 1976, becoming the second Jamaican to clinch the crown. She later became a recording artist and entrepreneur, founding a Rastafarian craft store called Ital Craf. She was once in a relationship with reggae musician Bob Marley that lasted until his death.
Birthdate: April 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaican cricketer Andre Russell, who gained fame as a West Indian all-rounder, holds the record of being the second person to score a century and a hat-trick in the same T-20 match. In 2021, he released a video thanking Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for sending COVID-19 vaccines to Jamaica.
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Ky-Mani Marley(Reggae musician, Actor who received a Grammy Award nomination for his album, Many More Roads)
Birthdate: February 26, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Falmouth, Trelawny, Jamaica
Ky-Mani Marley is a Jamaican musician and actor best known for his 2001 studio album Many More Roads, which earned him a Grammy Award nomination. The son of Bob Marley, Ky-Mani Marley has also played lead roles in films like Shottas and One Love.
Birthdate: November 3, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
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Jimmy Cliff(Singer, Actor, Music artist, Artist, Musician)
Birthdate: April 1, 1948
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Saint James Parish
Birthdate: October 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston
Courtney Walsh is a Jamaican former cricketer who played for the West Indies cricket team from 1984 to 2001. Considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Walsh became the first bowler to take 500 Test wickets before finishing his career with 519 wickets. Walsh was made an inductee of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Shabba Ranks(Musician, Singer who is notoriously popular for "Mr. Loverman" and "Ting-A-Ling")
Birthdate: January 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: St. Ann, Jamaica
Birthdate: August 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Patrick Chung is a Jamaican-American retired professional football player best known for his association with the New England Patriots. He played in the NFL for 12 seasons, during which he won three Super Bowls for New England. Patrick Chung also played for the Philadelphia Eagles for a season during his 12-year career.
Birthdate: October 14, 1948
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saint Catherine Parish
Birthdate: August 23, 1967
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
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Masego(Incorporating the saxophone into his musi)
Birthdate: June 8, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Masego is a Jamaican-American singer and musician who achieved widespread recognition in 2017 when he released his collaborative record Tadow alongside French Kiwi Juice (FKJ). Masego is best known for releasing songs that incorporate the saxophone in many beautiful ways.
Birthdate: August 6, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saint Catherine Parish
Grace Latoya Hamilton, better known by her stage name Spice, is a dancehall singer, songwriter, and recording artist. She is one of the world's most popular female dancehall artists and is dubbed the Queen of Dancehall. Also known for her philanthropic efforts, Spice established the Grace Hamilton Women Empowerment Foundation in 2018, in an attempt to uplift young women.
Birthdate: December 21, 1963
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
Donovan Ruddock is a Jamaican-born Canadian retired boxer. Renowned for his exceptionally heavy punching, Ruddock was featured on The Ring magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time list. Donovan Ruddock is also known for his famous fights against Mike Tyson in 1991 and Lennox Lewis in 1992.
Birthdate: November 23, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Spanish Town
Asafa Powell is a Jamaican sprinter who set the 100 metres world record on two occasions between 2005 and 2008. He achieved international prominence in 2016 when he won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Asafa Powell has also won a couple of gold medals at the World Championships.
Birthdate: September 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Clarendon
OMI is a Jamaican singer best known for his song Cheerleader, which achieved commercial success, reaching number one in many countries including Germany, the US, and the UK. The song earned him nominations at the Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, NRJ Music Awards, Radio Disney Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Birthdate: January 3, 1951
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Port Antonio, Jamaica
Michael Lee-Chin is a Jamaican-Canadian businessman and philanthropist. He is best known for his association with a privately held investment company named Portland Holdings Inc., where he serves as the CEO and chairman. A well-known philanthropist, Michael Lee-Chin has donated millions of dollars to educational institutions and museums across Canada.
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Gregory Isaacs(Known as The Cool Ruler, he sang hundreds of Jamaican dancehall classics like "My Only Lover")
Birthdate: July 15, 1951
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Died: October 25, 2010
Birthdate: April 22, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Birmingham, England
Darren Moore is a football manager who is currently managing Sheffield Wednesday Football Club which plays in the English Football League One. A former player, Moore played as a centre-back for teams like Torquay United and Bradford City. In April and September 2018, Moore was named Premier League Manager of the Month and EFL Championship Manager of the Month respectively.
Birthdate: August 22, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston
Beenie Man is a Dancehall deejay from Jamaica known for his 1995 studio album Blessed, which earned him international fame. He started his career as a prodigy, recording albums at the age of 10! He then went on to establish himself as one of the most popular deejays; he has had feuds with famous contemporaries like Yellowman and Bounty Killer.
Birthdate: January 21, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nottingham
Wes Morgan is a former football player who played as a defender for teams like Leicester City Football Club, Nottingham Forest, and the Jamaican national team. He also captained Leicester City for nine years till his retirement in 2021. Morgan was a successful captain, leading his team to a Championship title, Premier League title, and their first FA Cup win.
Birthdate: December 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Celle, Germany
Dustin Brown is a German tennis player best known for defeating Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships. Renowned for his speed, technique, and entertaining playing style, Dustin Brown is also famous for his dreadlocked hairstyle, which has earned him the nickname Dreddy.
Birthdate: July 12, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Clarendon Parish
Birthdate: December 8, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Died: June 9, 2019
Bushwick Bill was a Jamaican-American record producer and rapper. He achieved fame as a member of the popular American hip hop group, Geto Boys. His popularity increased in 1991 when he shot himself after an argument with his girlfriend. Although he lost his right eye, the incident helped increase the sales of Geto Boys' album We Can't Be Stopped.
Birthdate: 1686 AD
Birthplace: Ghana
Died: 1755 AD
Nanny of the Maroons was a Jamaican resistance fighter best remembered as the leader of the Jamaican Maroons. She led a community called Windward Maroons which fought a war against the British authorities in what came to be known as the First Maroon War. In 1975, she was declared Jamaica's only female national hero by the government of Jamaica.
Birthdate: July 15, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, Lyriq Bent is known for series such as Angela's Eyes and She's Gotta Have It. He has also gained fame as Daniel Rigg in the Saw franchise. A sports lover, he is also a skilled golfer and is fond of basketball and soccer.
Birthdate: July 23, 1926
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Died: April 8, 2008
Cedella Booker was a Jamaican singer best remembered as the mother of Bob Marley. Booker is credited with conceiving and creating an annual music event, which came to be known as the 9 Mile Music Festival. While Marley helped popularize the festival, Cedella Booker helped spread the legend of Marley far and wide by authoring two books on her son.
Birthdate: September 15, 1889
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Clarendon Parish
Died: May 22, 1948
Claude McKay was a poet who played an influential role in the Harlem Renaissance. Remembered for his work If We Must Die, a poem written in response to mob attacks on African-American communities by white Americans, McKay was named the national poet of Jamaica in 1977. For his contribution to literature, he was posthumously honored with the Order of Jamaica.
Birthdate: April 10, 1947
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kingston
Bunny Wailer was a Jamaican percussionist and singer-songwriter. An original member of a famous band named The Wailers alongside Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, Wailer is regarded as one of the foremost exponents of reggae music. Over the course of his illustrious career, Bunny Wailer received several prestigious awards including three Grammy Awards.