Prince Lincoln: The Soulful Voice of Jamaican Rocksteady & Reggae

Prince Lincoln Thompson, known professionally as Prince Lincoln, was a foundational Jamaican vocalist and songwriter who helped shape the rocksteady and roots reggae genres. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, his greatest achievement was the 1979 international hit "Humanity (Love One Another)," which brought his conscious message and sweet tenor to a global audience.

Early career

Born in 1949 in Kingston, Lincoln Thompson began his musical journey in the church choir before forming the vocal group The Tartans in the mid-1960s. The Tartans, which included Cedric Myton of The Congos, found early success with rocksteady singles like "Dance All Night" for producer Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label, establishing Thompson's smooth vocal style.

Breakthrough

Prince Lincoln's major breakthrough came 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 massive reggae anthem, charting in the UK and earning significant radio play across Europe and beyond, cementing his status as a roots reggae innovator.

Key tracks

Humanity (Love One Another) — This 1979 smash is his signature song, a timeless roots reggae plea for unity that defined his career.

Dance All Night — Originally recorded with The Tartans, this rocksteady classic showcases his early vocal charm and songwriting skill.

Kingston 11 — A powerful social commentary track that exemplifies the conscious lyricism of his solo work in the 1970s.

True Experience — This later track demonstrates the enduring consistency of his melodic roots reggae sound into the 1980s.

Following the success of "Humanity," Prince Lincoln continued to record and perform with his band The Royal Rasses, releasing albums like "Natural Wild" and "Experience." He remained a respected figure in the reggae world, collaborating with artists like Sugar Minott and maintaining a dedicated following for his spiritually uplifting music until his passing in 1999.

Fans of Prince Lincoln's harmonious roots reggae style should also explore the works of The Congos. Cedric Myton's ethereal vocals with The Congos share a similar spiritual depth. The smooth rocksteady of The Heptones offers a comparable vocal group foundation. For conscious lyrics and melodic basslines, listen to Gregory Isaacs. The roots sound of Culture also resonates with Prince Lincoln's message-driven approach.

Prince Lincoln's music remains a staple on classic reggae radio stations and specialist roots reggae shows featured on this website. His tracks are regularly featured in rotations that celebrate the golden era of Jamaican music, from rocksteady foundations to 1970s roots anthems.

You can hear the timeless music of Prince Lincoln on the reggae and rocksteady radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to discover the rich catalog of this essential Jamaican artist and his enduring message of humanity.