Barrington Levy - A Critical Look at Reggae Royalty

How do you describe Barrington Levy in one word? Mythical! If you’re a fan of reggae music, then the name is no doubt familiar. Barrington Levy has been hailed as one of the most influential artists to come from the Jamaican music scene and it isn’t hard to see why - but here at The Daily Beat we don’t want to just champion him blindly. We can still appreciate his contribution without giving him an undeserved free pass! So let us have a bit of fun by taking a wry look at some of our criticisms surrounding this man many deem reggae royalty.

When it comes to Jamaican reggae music, there are a few names that immediately spring to mind: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, just to name a few. But for all those who know their reggae, there is one name that stands out above them all - Barrington Levy. Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1964, Barrington Levy is a well-known reggae musician with a career spanning over four decades. He has been credited with revolutionizing reggae music and his unique sound has won him fans across the world. But as much as we all adore him, here at The Daily Beat, we believe in calling a spade a spade. So, with humor and a critical eye, let's take a wry look at some of our criticisms of this man many deem reggae royalty.

1. Too patchy, not consistent

One of the biggest criticisms that we have of Barrington Levy is his inconsistency when it comes to recording music. While he has produced some of the most iconic songs in reggae history, there are also long periods of time when he produces very little or no new music. His tendency to disappear from the scene for years at a time has left many of his fans feeling frustrated and impatient.

2. Too commercialized, missing authenticity

Another criticism levied against Levy is that his music has become too commercialized, lacking the authenticity that is so essential to reggae music. As much as we all love a hit song, the problem with commercialization is that it tends to dilute the very essence of what makes music great. The critical eye argues that despite his undeniable talent, an over-reliance on formulaic pop hits in recent years has unfortunately contributed to the half-heartedness of some of his recent releases.

3. Superficial lyrics

Levy has been hailed as a lyrical genius by some - with songs like Black Roses and Here I Come being considered some of the best reggae songs of all time. However, increasingly there's a sense that some of Levy's lyrics are starting to feel a bit hollow. His penchant for catchy phrases and rhymes is starting to feel more superficial and imitative than inspired. But perhaps that's just the nature of the modern music industry.

4. Too selective in performing

4. Too selective in performing

Barrington Levy has always been selective about where he performs, and this has been the source of frustration for many fans across the world. Often, Levy will only agree to perform at large festivals or high profile gigs, which means that fans in more remote areas miss out on the opportunity to see him perform live. There's no doubt that the musician deserves his share of breaks, but this behavior might alienate some of his dedicated fans, the critical eye argues.

5. A certain amount of arrogance?

Finally, there are some that argue that Levy has developed a bit of an ego over the years. While this is, to some extent, common with people in the entertainment industry, some feel that Barrington Levy could do with taking a step back and remembering those who helped him get where he is today. There's a shortcoming in the sense of humility that one expects from musical icons like Bob Marley, who never forgot his roots and always paid homage to his fellow Jamaicans.



In conclusion, even though Barrington Levy remains a much-loved musician (mythical, even), it’s worth taking a critical look at the artist from time to time. While he has been credited with revolutionizing reggae and having an incredible talent, there are still a few shortcomings that should not be ignored. Regardless of his flaws or strengths, we continue to love and appreciate the music of Barrington Levy and the immense contribution he has made to Jamaican music.