Jamaica continues to make a significant mark on the global music scene, with three of its artists securing spots on Rolling Stone’s 250 Best Albums of the 21st Century (So Far) list. The featured artists—Sean Paul, Popcaan, and Koffee—represent a diverse blend of dancehall and reggae talent that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Koffee’s Gifted Ranks Highest for Jamaica
Koffee, the youngest Jamaican artist to be recognized, achieved the highest ranking at #156 with her debut album Gifted. Released in March 2022, the album cemented her reputation as a rising reggae star. Tracks like Pull Up gained international recognition, even making it onto former President Barack Obama’s 2022 Summer Playlist. Another hit from the album, Switch It Up, had previously been featured on Obama’s 2020 playlist.
Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock Remains a Classic
Sean Paul’s groundbreaking album Dutty Rock, released in November 2002, secured the #189 spot on the list. The Grammy-winning album brought dancehall to a global audience with hits like Gimme the Light, Get Busy, and Like Glue. The album’s success cemented Sean Paul as an international superstar, and two decades later, it remains one of the most influential dancehall albums.
Popcaan’s Where We Come From Makes Its Mark
Popcaan’s debut album Where We Come From, released in 2014, ranked at #197 on the list. The album, known for its authentic storytelling and genre-blending sound, remains his best-selling project to date. It played a crucial role in introducing modern dancehall to new audiences and solidified Popcaan’s place as a leading figure in the genre.
Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Albums of the 21st Century
In addition to celebrating Jamaican talent, Rolling Stone’s list is topped by some of the biggest names in the music industry. The top 10 albums of the 21st century (so far) are:
- Beyoncé – Lemonade
- Radiohead – Kid A
- Frank Ocean – Blonde
- OutKast – Stankonia
- Taylor Swift – Folklore
- Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
- SZA – SOS
- Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
- Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
- The Strokes – Is This It
Both Popcaan and Sean Paul have earned spots on our definitive list of the Greatest Dancehall Albums of All Time—check it out here.
