List of people from Kingston, Jamaica facts for kids

Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica, is a vibrant place known for its rich culture and music. Many talented people, from musicians to athletes and leaders, have come from Kingston or spent important parts of their lives there. This article introduces you to some of these amazing individuals who have made a big impact both in Jamaica and around the world.

Notable People from Kingston

Music Stars

Kingston is famous for its music, especially reggae and dancehall. Many artists who became global stars started their journeys here.

• Yellowman is a well-known reggae and dancehall artist.
• Bob Andy was a talented reggae vocalist.
• Buju Banton is a famous reggae singer.
• Aston "Family Man" Barrett was a legendary bassist, known for his work with Bob Marley and The Wailers.
• Beenie Man, whose real name is Moses Davis, is a popular dancehall artist.
• Ken Boothe is an artist known for his reggae music.
• Bounty Killer is a prominent dancehall artist.
• Dennis Brown was a beloved reggae singer, often called the "Crown Prince of Reggae."
• Errol Brown was a singer.
• Desmond Dekker was a singer and songwriter, famous for his ska and reggae hits.
• Coxsone Dodd was a pioneering reggae music producer.
• Sly Dunbar is a famous reggae musician and dub music producer. He often works with Robbie Shakespeare.
• Eek-A-Mouse is a unique reggae singer.
• Elephant Man is a high-energy dancehall artist.
• John Holt was a reggae singer and songwriter.
• Jah’Mila is a reggae musician.
• Macka Diamond, whose real name is Charmaine Munroe, is a dancehall artist.
• Bob Marley was a truly great musician and singer-songwriter. He brought reggae music to the world.
• Damian Marley is a reggae artist and the youngest son of Bob Marley.
• Ziggy Marley is also a reggae artist and a son of Bob Marley.
• Mavado is a popular dancehall artist.
• Sean Paul is a dancehall and reggae artist known for his global hits.
• Junior Reid is a reggae singer.
• U-Roy was a pioneer of "toasting," a style of rhythmic talking over music that influenced rap.
• Shaggy is a reggae singer known for his catchy songs.
• Robbie Shakespeare was a reggae musician and dub music producer, famous as part of the duo Sly and Robbie.
• Super Cat is a dancehall artist.
• Vybz Kartel is a well-known dancehall singer.
• Hyman Wright was a reggae record producer.

Sports Heroes

Kingston has also produced many talented athletes who have excelled in various sports, from track and field to football and basketball.

• Cory Burke is a soccer player.
• John Barnes is an English footballer who had a very successful career.
• Atari Bigby is a former NFL (National Football League) player.
• Patrick Chung is an NFL football player who played for the New England Patriots.
• Kofi Cockburn is a basketball player who played for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
• Omar Daley is a footballer.
• Chili Davis is a former Major League Baseball player.
• Leon Edwards is a mixed martial artist, who was born in Jamaica and represents England. He is a current UFC Welterweight Champion.
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
• Ricardo Fuller is a footballer who played for Hanley Town.
• Ricardo Gardner is a former footballer.
• Chris Gayle is a famous cricketer.
• Howard Grant is a boxer.
• Richard Hall is a professional boxer.
• Bob Hazell is a former footballer.
• Paul Hewitt is a U.S. basketball coach.
• Kamara James was an Olympic fencer.
• Jermaine Johnson is a footballer for Tivoli Gardens.
• Sandra Levy is a field hockey player.
• Justin Masterson is a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians.
• Mike McCallum is a professional boxer who won world titles in three different weight divisions.
• Marcus Milner is a footballer.
• Donald Quarrie is a sprinter and Olympic medalist.
• Ricky Sappleton is a footballer for Cheshunt.
• Raheem Sterling is a footballer who plays for Manchester City.
• Ryan Thompson is a footballer for Austin Bold.
• Alfred Valentine was a cricketer.
• Courtney Walsh is a legendary cricketer.
• Devon White is a former Major League Baseball player.

Leaders and Thinkers

Kingston has also been home to important figures in politics, history, and civil rights.

• Billy Strachan was a pioneer of black civil rights in Britain. He was also a WWII bomber pilot and a communist activist.
• Frederic G. Cassidy was a linguist and lexicographer, known for his work on Jamaican English.
• Theodore Curphey was a coroner.
• Robert Charles Dallas was a lawyer and historian.
• Amy Jacques Garvey was a journalist and publisher, and the second wife of Marcus Garvey.
• Lisa Hanna is a politician who was also Miss World in 1993.
• Jean Lowrie-Chin is a communications consultant, author, and newspaper columnist.
• Michael Manley was a significant Jamaican politician and prime minister.
• Angella Reid was the White House Chief Usher and a hotel manager.
• Hazelle P. Rogers is a politician.
• Mary Seacole was a medical pioneer, known for her nursing work during the Crimean War.
• Winsome Sears is a politician.
• Nadine Spencer is a businesswoman.
• Jheanelle Wilkins is a politician.

Other Famous Faces

Kingston's notable people also include those who have achieved fame in beauty pageants and other fields.

• Cindy Breakspeare was crowned Miss World in 1976.
• Louise Bennett-Coverley was a beloved folk singer, poet, and comedian, known for her work in Jamaican Patois.
• Carole Crawford was crowned Miss World in 1963.
• Sandy Denton, known as "Pepa," is part of the hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa.
• Patrick Ewing is a former NBA basketball player and coach.
• Heather Foster is a professional bodybuilder who was born in Jamaica.
• Andrew Gourlay is a conductor.
• Yendi Phillips was the 1st runner-up in Miss Universe 2010.
• Willard White is a famous opera singer.