Lincoln Thompson

Prince Lincoln Thompson, also known as Sax, (10 July 1949 – 14 January 1999) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and musician, best known for his work with the reggae band The Royal Rasses and as a devoted member of the Rastafari movement. Renowned for his distinctive high falsetto, Thompson’s vocal style contrasted sharply with his speaking voice, helping him stand out in the reggae scene. Thompson began his musical career in 1967 as part of The Tartans alongside Cedric Myton, before moving on to record as a solo artist at Studio One with producer Coxsone Dodd. He founded the God Sent label and achieved hits with songs like Kingston 11 and Love the Way It Should Be. His 1974 album Humanity became one of his signature works and was later covered by John Legend and The Roots in 2010 on the album Wake Up!. During the late 1970s and 1980s, Thompson recorded multiple albums in Jamaica and London, including Experience, Natural Wild, Ride with the Rasses, and Rootsman Blues, experimenting with diverse sounds and production techniques. Despite occasional commercial setbacks, he remained committed to authentic roots reggae and Rastafarian values, even opening an Ital shop in London. His final album, 21st Century, was released in 1997, shortly before his death in London in 1999 at age 49.