Billboard released their end-of-year roundup of the Top Reggae Artists of 2007 with nothing shocking but definitely an interesting perspective. The Marley family pretty much owns the chart with Bob and Sons holding 4 spots! Bob Marley resides in the #2 spot on his own plus the #6 slot with The Wailers. Meanwhile, Stephen Marley rules #3 and Damian Marley sits next to him at #4. Sean Paul is in royal company between Damian and Bob in the #5 slot.
The big surprises come from who is sitting at the top and who is missing from the list entirely. The ruling reggae artist of 2007 is someone I am barely aware of, but is apparently huge. Matisyahu, the Hasidic Jew from Pennsylvania, is the Top Rankin Reggae Artist of the year according to Billboard’s deductions. (The decision is based on sales and downloads of the artists’ music plus airplay in the US.) Matisyahu’s 2006 album Youth was nominated for a Grammy in Best Reggae Album the same year it was released.
