Michael Prophet | Artist

Michael George Haynes aka Michael Prophet was a Jamaican roots reggae singer born 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica. One of Jamaica’s most popular roots reggae singers, he was known for his "crying" tenor vocal style and had several prominent hits during his 40-year career including "Gunman". In the late '70s Haynes formed a vocal trio with friends from the neighbourhood, but when they auditioned for the visionary producer Vivian "Yabby You" Jackson, he convinced Michael to ditch the other vocalists, renamed himself Michael Prophet and shift the focus of his lyrics to Rastafari philosophy and the harshness of ghetto life. Haynes then went on to make a series of excellent roots reggae albums with Yabby You, before moving to London at the height of the "Dancehall" movement. Haynes also recorded albums with other prominent Jamaican producers such as Winston Riley, Niney the Observer, King Tubby and King Jammy, often working with the Roots Radics band. Standout albums include Consciousness, Righteous Are The Conqueror, Serious Reasoning and Michael Prophet (1981). Also highly recommended is Vocal & Dub released in 1979 under the artist name of Yabby You & Michael Prophet.

Artist Website: wikipedia/Michael_Prophet

Featured Albums: Michael Prophet

Related Artists: Yabby You

Video Clips: Gunman, Help Them Please, Reggae Central