1977. Shepherd's Bush, London. A record shop at 44 Uxbridge Road, selling Jamaican music, decides it's time to release its own tracks. The mission is clear - to arm every DJ and Reggae fan in the U.K. with the hottest sounds from downtown Kingston, Jamaica.
And so, into a golden era of Reggae, Greensleeves Records was born - a label that soon became synonymous with all the latest Dancehall & Reggae hits from Jamaica alongside Caribbean-influenced black British music. Greensleeves created a distinct reputation as a pioneer in Dancehall music and the Rub-A-Dub style. Just like Motown or Blue Note it defined a genre.
Many artists and prominent producers released on the label including Dr Alimantado, Augustus Pablo, Wailing Souls, Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Eek-A-Mouse, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Sister Nancy, Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Mr Vegas, Red Rat, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel, JC Lodge, Deborahe Glasgow, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, Linval Thompson, King Jammy and Gussie Clarke.
Forward to 2024, and the rebel label that never courted the mainstream, has today taken its place as the most revered British Reggae label with a catalogue of over 20,000 tracks that ensures Greensleeves's reputation as a major player in the ascension of Reggae as a global genre . It has a loyal, ever expanding global following - many who grew up with the label in the UK communities, others who discovered it as the music swept the world and now other younger fans who embrace it as a heritage label through their passion for Reggae & Dancehall.
As Greensleeves enters it 48th year, the label remains committed to its music, history, community and vision through events and parties, collaborations, and a hotly anticipated book launch scheduled for 2024. We'll be updating you regularly across the year on all the happenings and releases as they land.
Be sure to follow our Ultimate Greensleeves playlist on Spotify!
