Junior Reid is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae singer from Kingston, Jamaica, born in 1963. He first comes to prominence in the early 1980s as part of the Waterhouse crew, a dancehall collective that also includes Half Pint and Yami Bolo, among others. He also starts out on the Youthman Promotion sound system, which is owned by Sugar Minott.

Early career and first hits

Reid gains recognition in Jamaica and in dancehall scenes overseas with songs such as “Original Foreign Mind”, “Reggae Gone Cross the Border”, and his version of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature”. His style is associated with the Waterhouse scene and with roots reggae and dub as well as dancehall.

Black Uhuru

In 1985, after Michael Rose leaves Black Uhuru, Reid is chosen as the group’s front man. He records with the Grammy-winning group on the albums Brutal and Positive, and he continues to perform Uhuru material. His time in the band leads to comparisons with Rose, including discussion of Reid’s use of the “tu-tu-tweng” vocal style linked to Rose.

Solo work and “One Blood”

Reid leaves Black Uhuru and later records One Blood in 1990. The title track becomes his signature song and defines his solo identity, making the name Junior “One Blood” Reid widely recognised among reggae listeners. During the 1990s he records further albums, though with less chart success, and his most notable recordings from that period include combinations with Bounty Killer on “Seek God” and “World Too Haunted”.

Later collaborations and crossover success

In the 2000s, Reid reaches a new audience through hip-hop collaborations and sampling. He appears on The Game’s “One Blood” from The Doctor’s Advocate, where the song uses a sample from Reid’s own “One Blood”, and he also appears in the video and TRL performance. He later features on a remix of Mims’ “This Is Why We Hot”. Other notable hip-hop appearances include Poor Righteous Teachers’ “Dreadful Day” and Wu-Tang Clan’s “Jah World” and “One Blood Under Wu”.

Ongoing activity

Reid continues to tour internationally and remains active across reggae and dancehall, with a career that spans roots, dub, and crossover work. He is also associated with Upper Cut Band.