Big Youth

Big Youth is a Jamaican deejay and toaster known for his distinctive high-pitched voice and rhythmic spoken delivery over roots reggae rhythms. Emerging in the early 1970s, his style blends Rastafarian spiritual themes, social commentary, and playful wordplay, and his approach helped shape the deejay/toasting tradition that influenced later reggae and dancehall vocal styles. His recordings are often marked by melodic phrasing and studio effects that emphasize vocal rhythm alongside the underlying riddim.