Author: UAA Staff

Big Mountain is an American reggae band formed in 1986 in San Diego, California, by lead vocalist Joaquin “Quino” McWhinney. Originally known as Rainbow Warriors and later Shiloh, the group adopted the name Big Mountain in 1991, inspired by a Native American reservation in Arizona. The band gained international fame with their 1994 reggae-pop cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way,” which reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK. Their earlier chart success came with “Touch My Light” in 1993, and their album Unity sold over a million copies worldwide. Known for blending roots reggae with pop and R&B influences, Big Mountain has undergone several lineup changes but remained anchored by Quino. After a hiatus in the mid-2000s, the band returned with new music, including the 2016 album Perfect Summer and 2023’s Hear That Sound, continuing to tour globally and spread messages of love and unity through their music.

Inner Circle, also known as “The Bad Boys of Reggae,” is a legendary Jamaican reggae band formed in Kingston in 1968 by brothers Ian and Roger Lewis. Initially gaining recognition by backing artists like The Chosen Few and later teaming up with iconic vocalist Jacob Miller, the band became a dominant force in reggae during the 1970s. Their momentum was tragically halted in 1980 when Miller died in a car crash, prompting a temporary disbandment. Inner Circle reformed in 1986 and achieved global success with hits like “Bad Boys”—which became the theme for the TV show COPS—and “Sweat (A La La La La Long),” a chart-topping single across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Their fusion of reggae with pop and soul elements helped them transcend genre boundaries, earning them a Grammy Award in 1993 and another nomination in 1994. Known for their energetic live performances and message of unity, Inner Circle has toured extensively worldwide and collaborated with artists across generations. Despite lineup changes, the band remains anchored by the Lewis brothers and continues to promote reggae’s global influence through their music and outreach

Maxi Priest is a British reggae singer of Jamaican descent renowned for pioneering the reggae fusion genre—a blend of reggae and R&B. Raised in a musically rich household as the second youngest of nine siblings, Priest was inspired by gospel and soul music, and began singing in church under the encouragement of his Pentecostal missionary mother. His early involvement with South London’s Saxon Studio International sound system laid the foundation for his career, where he gained recognition through local performances and independent releases. Priest’s breakthrough came with his 1988 album Maxi, featuring a hit cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World.” He achieved international fame with the 1990 Billboard No. 1 single “Close to You,” making him one of only two British reggae artists to top the U.S. charts. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists like Roberta Flack, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, and Apache Indian, and his 2014 album Easy to Love reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart. A father of three, including fellow musician Marvin Priest, Maxi continues to be a global ambassador of reggae music, celebrated for his smooth vocals and genre-defying style.

Wyclef Jean is a Grammy-winning rapper, producer, and philanthropist whose eclectic musical style and activism have made him a global icon. After emigrating to the U.S. at age nine, he settled in New Jersey and rose to fame as a founding member of the Fugees, whose 1996 album The Score became one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of all time. Jean launched a successful solo career with The Carnival (1997), followed by hits like “Gone till November,” “911” (with Mary J. Blige), and collaborations with artists such as Santana, Shakira, and Whitney Houston. Beyond music, he founded the charity Yéle Haiti and was appointed Haiti’s Ambassador-at-Large in 2007. Though his 2010 presidential bid was unsuccessful due to residency requirements, Jean remains a prominent voice for Haitian advocacy and global humanitarian efforts