Sly & Robbie
The Rhythm Twins
Active Years: 1975 – 2021
Origin: Kingston, Jamaica
Sly Dunbar (Lowell Charles Dunbar, b. May 10, 1952) and Robbie Shakespeare (b. September 27, 1953 – d. December 8, 2021), known collectively as Sly & Robbie, are revered as one of the most influential and prolific rhythm sections in the history of modern music. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, they revolutionized the sound of reggae and dub, and later transcended genres—leaving an indelible impact on pop, rock, hip hop, and world music.
Pioneers of the Rhythm Revolution
Nicknamed “The Riddim Twins,” Sly Dunbar (drummer) and Robbie Shakespeare (bassist) first joined forces in the mid-1970s. Their musical chemistry was immediate, intuitive, and groundbreaking. Sly, a master of syncopated drumming and electronic rhythms, and Robbie, a deeply rooted bass player with melodic dexterity, forged a sound that was both hypnotic and fiercely innovative.
They rose to prominence as the house rhythm section and production team for Channel One Studios and later co-founded Taxi Records in 1979. Through this label, they created some of reggae’s most enduring riddims and launched or boosted the careers of countless artists.
Musical Contributions & Collaborations
Sly & Robbie’s fingerprints are on thousands of recordings. They were the rhythmic backbone behind reggae icons such as Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer, and Toots & The Maytals. Their work on Black Uhuru’s albums in the early 1980s, particularly Red (1981) and Anthem (1983), helped secure reggae’s place on the global stage—Anthem won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985.
Their versatility enabled them to collaborate across genres with international superstars including Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Madonna, No Doubt, Mick Jagger, and Serge Gainsbourg. The duo helped shape Jones’ groundbreaking Compass Point trilogy (Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life), blending reggae, new wave, funk, and dub into a new hybrid style.
Sly & Robbie also embraced technology and innovation early, pioneering the use of syndrums and digital rhythms in reggae music. Their embrace of digital dancehall helped usher in a new era in the 1980s, paving the way for the genre’s global reach.
Legacy & Recognition
With a career spanning more than four decades, Sly & Robbie are credited with revolutionizing the sound of Jamaican music and influencing generations of musicians and producers. Together, they recorded or produced more than 200,000 tracks, an almost unmatched discography in modern music.
Robbie Shakespeare, often ranked among the greatest bass players of all time, passed away in 2021, leaving behind a monumental legacy. Sly Dunbar continues to perform and produce, carrying forward the spirit and innovations of the duo.
Their awards and accolades include:
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Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album (Anthem, 1985)
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Multiple Grammy nominations
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International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA)
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Jamaica National Honors for services to music
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Featured in Rolling Stone’s lists of greatest rhythm sections and musicians
Cultural Impact
Sly & Robbie not only defined the soundtrack of reggae’s golden era, they also helped globalize Jamaican music, fusing it with a multitude of genres and expanding its influence into every corner of popular culture. Their ability to reinvent themselves and remain current over decades exemplifies their creative genius.
Through rhythm, innovation, and fearless experimentation, Sly & Robbie changed the course of music history.
