While the history of reggae is an evolution of sounds rather than a single “big bang” moment, Frederick “Toots” Hibbert is the Jamaican artist most famously credited with the “first” reggae song—specifically for giving the genre its name.
In 1968, his group Toots and the Maytals released the infectious track “Do the Reggay,” which officially transition the island’s sound from the slower beat of Rocksteady into the vibrant, rhythmic world of Reggae.
The Story of Toots Hibbert
Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert was born on December 8, 1942, in May Pen, Jamaica. The youngest of seven children, he grew up singing gospel in his church choir, a foundation that would later give his reggae performances a soulful, “James Brown-esque” energy.
In the early 1960s, he formed The Maytals with Henry “Raleigh” Gordon and Nathaniel “Jerry” Matthias. They began as a ska group, but as the Jamaican music scene evolved, Toots was at the forefront of the shift. In 1968, he coined the word “Reggay.” He explained that it came from a Jamaican slang word streggae, used to describe someone “scruffy” or “raggedy.” He took that word, smoothed it out, and gave the world a name for the new beat that was pulsating through the streets of Kingston.
Key Achievements
• Defining a Genre: He is widely recognized for naming “Reggae” via his 1968 single.
• Grammy Success: He won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2005 for True Love and again posthumously in 2021 for Got to Be Tough.
• Cultural Icon: In 2012, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fourth-highest honor.
• Longevity: He remained one of the longest-performing reggae artists, touring and recording for over six decades until his passing in 2020.
Legacy
Toots Hibbert’s legacy is that of a pioneer who bridged the gap between traditional African-Caribbean rhythms and modern soul. While Bob Marley became the global face of reggae’s spiritual and political message, Toots was its raw, rhythmic heart.
He didn’t just sing songs; he helped build a musical infrastructure that allowed a small island to command the world’s attention. His influence can be heard in everything from the punk rock of The Clash to modern hip-hop and dancehall.
Would you like me to look up the lyrics to one of his songs or find more details about the “Rocksteady” era that preceded his big hit?
Toots and the Maytals – Do the Reggay
This video provides the historical context and audio for the song that famously gave the reggae genre its name.
