Robbie Shakespeare (born 25 October 1953) is a Jamaican bass player and record producer, best known as one half of the prolific production duo Sly and Robbie, along with drummer Sly Dunbar. He is considered one of the most influential and important bassists in reggae music and has collaborated with many of music’s biggest names, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, and Joe Cocker. He has also worked with a wide range of contemporary musicians, including No Doubt, Sinead O’Connor, Manu Chao, and The Rolling Stones. He is renowned for his use of the melodic bassline, and his signature sound helped to define the sound of reggae and dub music.
| Name | Robbie Shakespeare |
| Genre | Reggae/Dub/Rocksteady |
| Instruments | Bass Guitar, Guitar |
| Date of Birth | 1953 |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Island Records, Virgin Records, EMI, Shanachie Records |
| Associated acts | The Wailers, Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Taxi Gang |
10 Best Robbie Shakespeare Quotes
“We wanted to show the world that we have a good sound, and we never wanted to do any harm. We wanted to do good.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from NPR
“The music, it’s a medicine, you know. It’s a vibration that you can’t touch, but you can feel it.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from NPR
“We’ve been playing together since we were teenagers and we still have a good feeling. I think that’s what makes the music so special.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Guardian
“This is the thing about us. We don’t do extremes, We’re not trying to be too commercial, we’re not trying to go too far out. We’re trying to stay in the middle ground.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Guardian
“The music is so powerful and so strong, it’s like a medicine.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Liverpool Echo
“We don’t have any special formula, but I think the secret of our success is that we are true to our roots.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Grammy.com
“We want to keep the music alive, and to make sure that the people who come after us know what the true roots of reggae are.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Grammy.com
“We just love music, and we love to play it. We’ve been doing it for so long that it’s become second nature.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Guardian
“We’re just trying to make music that’s honest and true.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Grammy.com
“We want to create something that people can enjoy and that will last.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Liverpool Echo
6 Robbie Shakespeare Quotes About Black Uhuru
“Black Uhuru is a band that’s been around for a long time and we still have the same kind of message, but with a different kind of sound.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Jamaicans.com
“We’re like a family, you know, and we always get together and make music that’s going to be uplifting to the people.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Jamaicans.com
“Black Uhuru is a band that has been preaching the message of Rastafari for many years and we continue to do so.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Jamaicans.com
“We have a strong belief in the power of music to bring people together, to spread the message of peace, love, unity and respect.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Jamaicans.com
“Our music is about consciousness, about being aware of our environment and our situation in the world.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Interview Magazine
“We believe that music should be an uplifting force, and that’s what we strive to do with every song we create.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Interview Magazine
6 Inspirational Robbie Shakespeare Quotes
“Music is a feeling, it’s something that can’t be felt with words. It’s a vibration that people feel, because it touches the soul.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Jamaica Observer
“We prefer to just play the music. We don’t need to get into any politics. The music speaks for itself.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Stereogum
“We’re best friends and we’re brothers in music. We can do all types of music, and it comes out real good.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Stereogum
“It’s like we’re from the same family. We just connect musically.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from NPR
“We just go with the music. We don’t try to force it. We just let it flow and it just comes out.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from NPR
“The key to our success is that we don’t overplay, we don’t over think. We just go with what we feel.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Grammy.com
6 Famous Robbie Shakespeare Quotes
“We try to do the best we can.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Dubroom.org
“I’m a musician, that’s all.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Guardian
“We are in a business, so we have to make money.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Dubroom.org
“We have a spirit of music that is unique to us.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Dubroom.org
“We are in this music game to make good music, not just to make money.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from The Guardian
“We have to be competitive in the business.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from Dubroom.org
5 Robbie Shakespeare Quotes About Love
“Love make the world go round”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“Love vibes is the most important”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“Love is like a beautiful flower, you have to nurture it”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“The more you give love, the more you get love”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“Love is the only answer”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
5 Robbie Shakespeare Quotes About Life
“Life is a journey, and music is part of the journey.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“You have to stay humble in life, because when you are humble you can get more.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“A lot of times in life, if you don’t have a plan, you don’t get to the right place.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“You have to make your own life, you have to make your own song.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
“You have to be positive in life, because when you are positive, positive things happen for you.”
– Robbie Shakespeare, from YouTube
8 Quotes About Robbie Shakespeare
“Robbie Shakespeare is a cornerstone of reggae music.”
– David Rodigan, from The Guardian
“Robbie Shakespeare is the most important bass player, ever.”
– Sly Dunbar, from All Music
“Robbie Shakespeare is the king of reggae bass.”
– BBC Music, from BBC Music
“Robbie Shakespeare has become a legend in the music industry.”
– Jazmine Hughes, from The Cut
“Robbie Shakespeare’s influence on reggae bass is unparalleled.”
– Riddim Magazine, from Riddim Magazine
“Robbie Shakespeare’s influence on modern music is undeniable.”
– Alex Ariff, from The Boar
“Robbie Shakespeare is one of the greatest bass players of all time.”
– Jason Rhode, from ReverbNation
Interview with Robbie Shakespeare
Frequently Asked Questions About Robbie Shakespeare
1. What is Robbie Shakespeare best known for?
Robbie Shakespeare is one of the most influential bass guitarists and producers of all time. He is best known for his work as part of the reggae duo Sly and Robbie with guitarist and producer Sly Dunbar. Together they worked on numerous hit records, including their own albums and those of other artists.
Some of the most notable accomplishments of Robbie Shakespeare include:
- The duo produced twelve number one hits in Jamaica.
- Robbie Shakespeare was a member of the band, The Revolutionaries, which provided the rhythm tracks for many of Bob Marley’s albums.
- Robbie Shakespeare’s bass guitar playing can be heard on over 200,000 albums.
- Robbie Shakespeare has written and produced songs for various artists, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear.
- Robbie Shakespeare was the first Jamaican musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2. What are some of Robbie Shakespeare most famous quotes?
Robbie Shakespeare is a legend in the music world and his words of wisdom have been inspiring music fans for decades. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “Life is a gift – it’s a present, it’s not a promise.”
- “Music is a language that can transcend all barriers and bring people together.”
- “If you believe in yourself and your dreams, then you can make anything happen.”
- “Sometimes the most important thing is to just keep going.”
- “Life is full of surprises, so be prepared for anything and everything.”
- “The love of music will always keep you going.”
- “The only way to achieve greatness is to take risks and never give up.”
- “Success comes in many shapes and forms, so never get discouraged.”
- “Always be true to yourself and never let anyone else define who you are.”
- “The best way to make a difference is to be the change you want to see in the world.”
3. How long has Robbie Shakespeare been in the Music Industry?
Robbie Shakespeare has been a fixture of the music industry for nearly four decades. He began his career in the early 1980s, playing bass for various reggae and dancehall artists. Since then, he has become one of the most recognized and respected figures in the industry. His list of accomplishments is lengthy and impressive:
- He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Sly & Robbie, and many others.
- He has co-produced and co-written some of the most successful reggae and dancehall albums of the past 40 years.
- He has won several awards, including a Grammy for his work on the album “Inevitable” by Bunny Wailer.
- He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Robbie Shakespeare’s influence on the music industry is far-reaching, and his legacy will live on for many years to come.
4. What Instruments Did Robbie Shakespeare Play?
Robbie Shakespeare is known for his exceptional talent as a bass guitarist, but he was also well-versed in many other instruments. He was a multi-instrumentalist and played a variety of instruments, including:
- Bass guitar
- Guitar
- Keyboards
- Percussion instruments
- Drums
- Vocals
Robbie was also a master at creating complex, intricate sound textures and effects using his instruments. He was able to create sounds that were both melodic and rhythmic at the same time. His skillful playing and creativity helped shape the sound of reggae and dub music.
5. What collaborations has Robbie Shakespeare been a part of?
Robbie Shakespeare, the Jamaican bassist and record producer, has been involved in a vast number of collaborations throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable ones:
- He collaborated with Peter Tosh on the albums “Legalize It,” “Equal Rights,” and “Bush Doctor”.
- He collaborated with Sly and Robbie on the albums “Superthruster” and “Language Barrier”.
- He collaborated with singer-songwriter Bob Marley on the album “Uprising”.
- He collaborated with singer-songwriter Jimmy Cliff on the album “Cliff Hanger”.
- He collaborated with reggae artist Junior Delgado on the album “Ragga Muffin”.
- He collaborated with the late singer-songwriter Gregory Isaacs on the album “More Gregory”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robbie Shakespeare was an incredibly influential and successful dub, reggae, and dancehall artist who made a significant impact on the music industry. His unique style of music and production inspired other artists, both in Jamaica and abroad, to explore their own musical creativity. His legacy will live on through his timeless music and production, and his influence continues to be felt today.
