Michael Prophet (born 1957, Kingston, Jamaica) is a roots reggae singer known for his "crying" tenor vocal style, whose recording career began in 1977.
Biography
Prophet's first recordings were for producer Yabby You in 1977, debuting with the single "Praise You Jah Jah", which had actually been written five years earlier.[1] He cites Bob Andy as his main influence as a singer.[3] He had his first Jamaican hit with a version of The Heptones' "Fight It To The Top".[1] His 1980 album Serious Reasoning was released by Island Records in the United Kingdom, establishing his reputation internationally.[2] After working with Yabby You, he also recorded for Henry "Junjo" Lawes, adapting to the prevailing dancehall sound and having his biggest hit with "Gunman". During the first half of the 1980s he recorded for producers such as Don Mais, Al Campbell, Sugar Minott,Winston "Niney" Holness, and Winston Riley, cementing his status as one of Jamaica's most popular singers.[1] After living in Miami for a time, he moved to England, where he recorded "Your Love" which reached number one in the UK reggae chart in 1990.[1] It was followed in 1991 by the album Get Ready, which also sold well.[1]
Albums
- Consciousness (1979) Yabby You
- Vocal & Dub (1979) Yabby You (Yabby You & Michael Prophet)
- Serious Reasoning (1980) Island
- Righteous Are The Conqueror (1980) Greensleeves/Thompson Sound
- Yabby You & Michael Prophet Meets Scientist at The Dub Station (1981) Yabby You
- Know The Right (1981) Prophet
- Prophecy (1981) Yabby U (with Yabby You and Wayne Wade)
- Michael Prophet (1981) Jah Guidance/Thompson Sound
- Stars In Disco Showcase (1982) Yabby You
- Michael Prophet Versions (1983) Yabby You
- Jah Love (1983) Live & Learn
- Love Is An Earthly Thing (1983) CSA, reissued as Reggae Music All Right (2000) and Michael Prophet (2001) both on Dressed To Kill
- Blood Stain (1984) Satta Blue/Ashantites
- Cease Fire (1985) Move
- Joint Favourites (1985) Greensleeves (with Half Pint)
- Settle Fu Ye Settle (1986) Live & Love
- Loving You (1987) Tuff Gong
- Certify (1988) Burning Sounds/CSA
- Gunman (1991) Greensleeves (compilation of Righteous are the Conqueror and Michael Prophet)
- Get Ready (1991) Passion/Greensleeves
- Bull Talk (1992) Greensleeves
- Magnet to Steel (1994) Jet Star
- Flimmy and The Prophet (1995) Acid Jazz (with Dread Flimstone)
- Rootsman (1999) Ariwa
- Michael Prophet & Friends (1999) Ariwa
- Consciousness (2000) Yabby You/Musidisc
- Al Campbell Meets Michael Prophet (2000) Reggae Superstars
- Protection (2009) Sip A Cup
- Compilations
- Cease & Settle (1994) Live & Learn - combines Cease Fire and Settle Fu Ye Settle