Chaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican dancehall, ragga and reggae duo made up of John Taylor, known as Chaka Demus, and Everton Bonner, known as Pliers. They have been active together since 1992.

Background

Both artists build on established solo careers before joining forces. Together, they become one of the most successful acts in Jamaican music and achieve a level of mainstream pop success that exceeds either performer’s earlier solo work.

Chart success and key recordings

The duo are the first Jamaican act to place three consecutive singles in the top five of the British music charts. They are best known for the singles “Murder She Wrote” and “Tease Me”, which become closely associated with their name.

Style

The pair work across dancehall, ragga and reggae, with their collaboration helping to bring Jamaican music to a wider pop audience in the early 1990s.