Peter Broggs

Peter Broggs' positive outlook and unwavering commitment to a roots and culture style have made him a fan favorite (despite his occasionally pitch-challenged vocals), particularly in the U.S. Born Henry James in 1954 in Hanover Parish, Westmoreland, Jamaica, Broggs moved to Kingston when he was 17, finding work in a factory, where eventually his Rastafari beliefs (and increasingly long dreadlocks) led to his dismissal. Undaunted, he recorded "Vank Out" (backed by the Roots Radics) at his own expense at Channel One, followed by "African Sister" a few months later, which led to the Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont-produced album Progressive Youth in 1979. Impressed by the album, Gary "Doctor Dread" Himmelford, founder of Ras Records, contacted Broggs in Jamaica, eventually releasing Rastafari Liveth! (again recorded at Channel One) in 1982 as the first official Ras album. Rise & Shine followed in 1985, Cease the War in 1988, Reasoning in 1990, and Rejoice in 1997. Often billed as "The International Farmer" (the title of one of his songs — about cropping ganja), Broggs currently lives in Lucea, Jamaica, where poor health and declining eyesight have forced him to cut back on his musical activities.