53 Years of Reggae Excellence
Third World is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time, and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences. Mixing in elements of R&B, funk, pop, and rock and, later on, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion.” Singer Bunny Rugs described the band’s sound: “Strictly a reggae band, no. Definitely a reggae band, yes.” Guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, OD said of their music: “The hybrid of various types of music is a natural thing because, by growing up in Jamaica, we know the direct roots of reggae and ska. At the same time, we live in a country where you get to hear Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and all the R&B artists.” Bassist Richard Daley said, “We took roots reggae music and put branches on top of it.”
Third World in 2026 brings together an exceptional collection of musicians: foundation member and honorary bassist Richard Daley, who has been part of the band’s DNA since 1973; Tony “Ruption” Williams, the heartbeat of Third World for the past 29 years, driving the band with his masterful command of the drums & djembe; keyboardists and vocalists Norris “Noriega” Webb and Maurice Gregory, adding rich layers of harmony; the commanding lead vocals of AJ Brown; the groove-anchoring bass of Richie Barr; and guitarist Richard “Wiggz” Walters, honoring the legacy of the legendary Stephen “Cat” Coore. Together they bring decades of combined excellence to every performance.
Together, this extraordinary ensemble carries forward a tradition of musical excellence that has earned Third World 9 Grammy nominations, a 1986 United Nations Peace Medal, the Keys to multiple American cities, and on Jamaican Independence Day 2025, the Jamaican Music Icon Award — presented by Prime Minister Andrew Holness before more than 35,000 people at the Grand Gala. Rolling Stone named founding guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore #92 on their list of the 200 Greatest Guitarists of all time.
Third World are also proud “Goodwill Ambassadors” for the Issa Trust Foundation, supporting pediatric care in rural Jamaica, and “Oceans Ambassadors” for the Alligator Head Foundation’s Clean Ocean initiatives in Portland, Jamaica.
A Legacy Five Decades in the Making
Third World was founded in Kingston in 1973 by guitarist/cellist Stephen “Cat” Coore, keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, and bassist Richard Daley, growing out of Jamaica’s vibrant club and hotel scene as one of the few fully self-contained bands on the island. Percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett joined in 1974, and in 1975 the band made a bold leap — traveling to England with no confirmed Reservations — and landed a deal with Chris Blackwell’s Island Records, going out as the opening act for Bob Marley & the Wailers’ 1975 World Tour.
Their self-titled debut followed in 1976. Then came 96° in the Shade (1977), introducing lead singer William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke and William Stewart on drums, becoming a massive critical hit in the UK and Europe. The commercial breakthrough arrived with Journey to Addis (1978) and a funky reggae cover of the O’Jays’ “Now That We’ve Found Love,” which cracked the American R&B Top Ten and the British pop Top Ten, making Third World international stars. “Cool Meditation” followed into the UK Top 20.
The hits continued: “Dancing on the Floor (Hooked on Love)” went UK Top 10 in 1981, and that same year Stevie Wonder joined them onstage at Reggae Sunsplash, then wrote and produced two tracks for You’ve Got the Power (1982), including the near-R&B Top 20 smash “Try Jah Love.” Through the ’80s, Grammy-nominated Hold On to Love (1987), produced with legendary songwriters Gamble and Huff, deepened their legacy. Their 1989 Mercury debut Serious Business introduced multi-instrumentalist Rupert “Gypsy” Bent III to the line up and produced “Forbidden Love” — one of the first commercially successful fusions of reggae and rap — reaching the R&B Top 20.
Further Grammy nominations followed with Generation Coming (1999), Ain’t Givin’ Up (2003), Black, Gold & Green (2005), Patriots (2011) and the Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley-produced More Work to Be Done (2019) , featuring Tessanne Chin, Chronixx, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal and Damian Marley himself.
After 53 years, through every evolution and every era, Third World remains exactly what it has always been: one of Jamaica’s greatest gifts to the world.
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