Tarrus Riley’s foray into music was inevitable. The talented singer and songwriter was always surrounded by music from an early age. His father is veteran reggae singer Jimmy Riley. Nicknamed “Singy Singy”, Riley was always singing and made his recording debut as a teen. In 2004, Riley released his debut album, Challenges. with an independent label out ofMiami and has followed a successful path since.
Known for his ‘healing’ music, Riley released his sophomore album Parables in 2006 to widespread acclaim and spawned hit singles - Stay With You, Beware, She’s Royal and Lion Paw, among others. “I worked on Parables with Dean Fraser and I wasn’t surprised at the success it has had, but how fast it all happened”, Riley reflected. Setting the foundation for everything he has delivered since, Riley described Parables as, “a confidence builder. She’s Royal was penned to counter the premise that women and girls are inferior. Riley now works with a group of friends on a movement proudly titled BLAKSOIL – Bredren Living According King Selassie-I Overstanding & Iritical Livity. Through this movement, He hopes to further target the consciousness of our women and children. In 2009 Riley was awarded the CVM 15th Anniversary Award for the ‘Most Admired Song in the Past 15 Years’ - for the hit, She’s Royal. Riley said, “That award really means a lot to me because it was chosen by the people in the streets.”
Riley has consistently racked up awards for his work. Among his accolades are Best: Singer; Male Vocalist; Cultural Artist; Song of the Year; and Best Song. Awards were received from institutions like: Youth View Awards, The Star People’s Choice Awards, EME Awards, and the Reggae Academy Awards. Among his 2011 awards are: the EME Awards (Excellence in Music and Entertainment) for Vocalist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Cultural Artist of the Year. Riley also copped the 2011 Youth View Award for Cultural Artist of the Year.
In 2009 Riley released his third opus, Contagious on Cannon Productions. It contained the hits Start Anew, Contagious, Good Girl Gone Bad featuring Konshens and Superman, a cover of a Robin Thicke original. 2010 saw the release of the chart topper Protect the People, which scaled several charts inJamaica and across theCaribbean.
Early 2011 saw the release of the Black History themed single Shaka Zulu Pickney. Riley’s interest in educating the youth about Black History resulted in the Tarrus Riley Freedom Writers Competition, which ran on Jamaica’s Irie FM radio station. 2011 also saw the release of videos for hit singles including Come Ova and Never Leave I.
Riley has performed across the world. His performances have drawn credible reviews from the media in the Caribbean, North America, theUnited StatesandEurope. His most recent major performances include: the 2011 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival; Reggae Sumfest 2010; Betty Wright and Friends in concert inJamaicaand the Palmyra Foundation’s Fundraising event.
Riley recently released the acoustic album Mecoustic (Soulbeats Records). He touredEurope between April and May 2012 to promote the album.
His most recent singles for some of Jamaica’s top record producers include Original Dancehall, Dream Woman (Chimney Records), Can’t Step Without My Lady, Antique Loving, Don’t Fight Me Down (Chimney Records), and Let Me In (Head Concussion music)
