Dawn Penn

Dawn Penn (born 11 January 1952) is a Jamaican reggae singer best known for her timeless hit "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)". She began her career in the rocksteady era of the late 1960s, recording original compositions such as "You Don't Love Me," "Why Did You Lie?," and covers including "To Sir With Love" and "Here Comes the Sun." Early in her career, she also worked with prominent producers like Coxsone Dodd, Bunny Lee, and Prince Buster. After leaving the music industry around 1970 and spending time in the Virgin Islands, Penn returned to Jamaica in 1987. Her comeback gained momentum in 1992 when she performed "You Don't Love Me" at a Studio One anniversary show with backing from Steely & Clevie. This led to a re-recorded version titled "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)," released in 1993, which became a global hit—reaching number one in Jamaica, charting in the U.S. and Europe, and peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. The single was included on her 1994 album No, No, No released by Big Beat Records. Over the years, "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)" has been widely sampled and covered by artists including Kano, 311, Ghostface Killah, and Damian Marley, attesting to its enduring influence. Penn continued performing internationally, appearing at festivals and shows in the U.K., Sweden, and the U.S., including the BET Awards in 2013. She collaborated with The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra on "Bangarang" in 2014 and appeared on Gorillaz’s 2023 album Cracker Island on the track "Crocadillaz." Dawn Penn remains a celebrated figure in reggae and rocksteady, recognized for her smooth vocals and contribution to the global popularity of Jamaican music.