Prince Lincoln: The Soulful Voice of Rocksteady and Early Reggae

Prince Lincoln Thompson, known professionally as Prince Lincoln, was a foundational Jamaican vocalist, songwriter, and producer whose work helped shape the transition from rocksteady to reggae. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, his most significant achievement was the 1979 international hit "Humanity (Love One Another)," a song that became a cult classic and defined his spiritually conscious musical philosophy.

Early career

Born in 1949 in the Jonestown area of Kingston, Lincoln Thompson began his musical journey in the church choir. His professional career launched in the late 1960s as a member of The Tartans vocal group alongside Cedric Myton, a collaboration that would prove enduring. The group found early success with rocksteady singles like "Dance All Night" for producer Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label, establishing Thompson's smooth, soulful tenor.

Breakthrough

Prince Lincoln's major breakthrough arrived in 1979 with the album "Humanity" on his own God Sent label, distributed by Ballistic Records. The title track, "Humanity (Love One Another)," became a surprise UK reggae chart success and an enduring anthem, its message of unity resonating deeply within the roots reggae scene. This international attention solidified his status as a serious artist beyond the Jamaican market.

Key tracks

Humanity (Love One Another) — This 1979 single is his signature song, a heartfelt plea for global unity that became a staple on sound systems worldwide.

Dance All Night — As a member of The Tartans, this early rocksteady hit for Studio One showcased the sweet harmonies that defined his formative years.

Kingston 11 — A powerful cultural roots reggae track that exemplified his commitment to social commentary and Rastafarian faith.

True Experience — This track from the "Humanity" album highlights his talent for crafting melodic, spiritually uplifting love songs within a reggae framework.

San Salvador — A later work demonstrating his continued relevance in the 1980s dancehall era, blending his melodic style with a digital rhythm.

Following the success of "Humanity," Prince Lincoln continued to record and produce, often with his group The Royal Rasses. He remained a consistent figure in reggae, operating through his God Sent label and releasing albums like "Experience" and "Natural Wild." His work consistently blended romantic themes with Rastafarian spirituality, maintaining a dedicated fanbase until his passing in 1999.

For fans of Prince Lincoln's melodic roots reggae and conscious lyrics, explore similar Jamaican pioneers. The smooth harmonies of Cedric Myton are essential, as Myton was his longtime partner in The Tartans and The Congos. The cultural depth and production style of Horace Andy shares a similar spiritual and musical resonance. The vocal group tradition is carried on by The Mighty Diamonds, who also perfected rocksteady-derived harmonies. For another distinctive solo voice from the same era, listen to Johnny Clarke, a key figure in the roots reggae explosion.

Prince Lincoln's music remains in regular rotation on dedicated reggae and classic roots radio stations, particularly on channels specializing in 1970s and 1980s Jamaican music. His tracks are featured on online radio streams that celebrate the foundation of reggae, ensuring his soulful voice reaches new generations of listeners.

The music of Prince Lincoln, a cornerstone of Jamaican reggae, can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his influential catalog, from early rocksteady to roots anthems, through the curated reggae stations available on onairium.com.