Bunny “Striker” Lee: The Hitmaker Who Shaped Dub and Roots Reggae

Few names carry as much weight in the evolution of Jamaican music as Edward O’Sullivan Lee, better known as Bunny “Striker” Lee. As a pioneering producer, Lee played a critical role in shaping the sounds of dub, roots reggae, and beyond. With an uncanny ability to recognize talent, harness studio innovation, and forge enduring musical partnerships, Bunny Lee was instrumental in transforming reggae into a global phenomenon.

Early Life and Entry into Music

Born on August 23, 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica, Bunny Lee began his career in the music industry working as a record plugger—promoting new records to radio DJs. In the 1960s, he transitioned into production, launching his own imprint and quickly building a reputation for crafting hits. His business acumen, combined with a deep passion for the music, earned him the nickname “Striker”, for his ability to strike with hit after hit.

Roots Reggae and Conscious Vibes

By the early 1970s, Bunny Lee had become a dominant force in roots reggae, the spiritually and politically charged subgenre that emerged from Jamaica’s post-colonial awakening. Lee championed some of the most important voices of the era, none more so than Johnny Clarke. Their partnership produced a stream of anthems including:

“None Shall Escape the Judgement”
“Move Out of Babylon”
“Roots Natty Congo”

These tracks, marked by Clarke’s ethereal falsetto and conscious lyrics, helped define the roots reggae sound—a blend of Rasta philosophy, spiritual yearning, and militant resistance.

Lee’s roster didn’t stop with Clarke. He also recorded and produced music with a who’s who of reggae royalty: Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, Delroy Wilson, Linval Thompson, and King Tubby, among others.

The Dub Revolution

Bunny Lee’s most groundbreaking contribution to music may well be his role in the birth and rise of dub—the instrumental, echo-drenched, bass-heavy offshoot of reggae that would go on to influence hip-hop, electronic music, and beyond.

Lee’s sessions with the legendary King Tubby at Tubby’s Dromilly Avenue studio in Kingston led to some of the earliest and most innovative dub mixes ever recorded. Tubby, an electrical engineer turned sonic alchemist, would take Bunny’s rhythm tracks and deconstruct them into mesmerizing, atmospheric versions. Stripped vocals, reverb explosions, and dropouts gave these mixes an otherworldly feel.

Some of Bunny Lee’s iconic dub albums include:

“King Tubby Meets the Aggrovators at Dub Station”
“Dub From the Roots”
“The Roots of Dub”
“King Tubby Meets the Upsetter at the Grass Roots of Dub”

Through dub, Lee and Tubby created a new language in music—one where the studio itself became an instrument.

The Flying Cymbals and Dancehall Foundation

Lee also innovated with the “flying cymbals” sound, a drum-heavy style that featured an open hi-hat pattern borrowed from the Philadelphia soul sound. This rhythmic style became a hallmark of mid-70s reggae and bridged the gap between roots and what would later become dancehall.

Lee’s house band, The Aggrovators, laid down the riddims, while Tubby, Prince Jammy, and other engineers provided the dubwise touch. These riddims were reused by countless producers in Jamaica, a testament to Bunny Lee’s foundational impact.

Legacy and Recognition

Bunny Lee’s contributions to reggae were immense—both culturally and technically. Over his long and prolific career, he:

Produced hundreds of hit singles
Mentored and launched the careers of iconic artists
Preserved and promoted Rastafarian consciousness through music
Revolutionized studio production with dub experimentation

In 2008, he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his service to music.

Bunny Lee passed away on October 6, 2020, but his influence remains vibrant. His rhythms continue to echo through contemporary reggae, dubstep, jungle, and hip-hop, underscoring his role as a true architect of modern music.

Conclusion

Bunny “Striker” Lee was more than a producer—he was a force of nature in Jamaican music. Whether delivering roots reggae classics with Johnny Clarke or pioneering dub with King Tubby, Lee pushed the boundaries of sound and spirit. His legacy is written not just in records, but in the DNA of countless genres that followed. For anyone tracing the roots of reggae’s global journey, Bunny Lee’s name stands tall among the greats.