Don Hartley
From a teenage Rasta in East Kingston, Jamaica educating children and adults, to a roots reggae artist with a Christ-centred message—my journey began in the classroom before it reached the studio or the stage.
about
I was born on Milford Road in Rock Fort, East Kingston—once a proud, middle-class neighborhood that slowly lost its gloss over the years. My childhood, however, was spent just around the bend on Mountain View Avenue—a more humble part of the city, but rich in character, community, and culture. My mother was a dress maker and a single mum struggling to make ends meet.At the age of fifteen I embraced RastafarI, while still in fifth form—my final year of high school. Instead of continuing on to sixth form, I chose a different path and enrolled at the College of Arts, Science and Technology to study electrical engineering.By seventeen, I was already teaching at a local preparatory school, even before completing college. At that time, I was likely the only young dreadlocks Rasta in East Kingston educating both children and adults—not just reasoning on the corner, but actively guiding students in the classroom. That made me well-known in the community—not as an entertainer, but as a teacher.While many of my Rasta peers were chasing the music dream early on, I was holding a different kind of mic—chalk in hand, passing on knowledge as an independent tutor. Music came later, but the foundation of upliftment, discipline, and a love for truth was already laid.In 1988, I became a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, a Rastafarian organization that played a key role in deepening my spiritual awareness and where Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me through a powerful encounter.Through Twelve Tribes movement I also came into contact with reggae elders like ‘Sangie’ Davis—renowned songwriter for Bob Marley (Wake Up and Live)—and Sydney ‘Junior Dan’ Gussine, bassist for Studio One and through whom I also met Bob Andy. Their wisdom helped shape my outlook and honed the message I would later bring to the world through music.Thereafter I began pursuing music more intentionally in 1989 rehearsing with bands in east Kingston and collaborating with musicians in the conscious reggae scene.My recording career began in 1990 with the release of my debut 7” single That Lady, which marked the beginning of a lifelong mission:A decade later from 2001 to 2005, I had the privilege of collaborating with the renowned roots collective Nucleus Roots, creating anthems like Run Come Quick, Deep Roots, and Irie Meditation—songs that became genre staples and still resonate with audiences worldwide.Over time, I became known for my unique fusion of biblical themes, Pan-African ideals, and life experiences, all grounded in the timeless rhythms of roots reggae.My music has always mirrored my spiritual journey taking on a Christ-centered perspective grounded in scripture and personal transformation.Since my time with Nucleus Roots, I’ve worked with a variety of producers and collectives—Mad & Dread, MessenJah Music, Roll & Record, Faya Dub, and Lewis Bennett Dubs—each one committed to truth and spiritual sound. I’ve remained consistent in both craft and message, earning a place of respect in the roots reggae scene and among lovers of spiritually conscious music.I’ve been blessed to perform on stages across Europe and the UK, including Band on the Wall (Manchester), Club Sauvage (Paris), Hootananny (Brixton), Manchester Carnival, Preston Reggae Festival, and more. Every performance is a sacred space—an opportunity to connect heart to heart, bringing the spirit of roots reggae alive and unfiltered.For me, this journey is about more than just music. It’s about faith, love, and resilience. It’s about honouring our African heritage while remaining Christ-centered through a sound that carries both fire and peace.You can find my music on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms. Tune in and experience the fusion of spirituality and rhythm that defines my sound.Beyond the music, I’m a trustee for Yellowbird Age Friendly — a Manchester-based charity dedicated to supporting the elderly through arts, culture, and community engagement. In a world obsessed with youth, I stand for honoring wisdom and experience.Looking ahead, my mission remains the same: to lift high the torch of wisdom and light the way home.
Releases
My musical journey spans over three decades, blending roots reggae with spiritually charged and thought-provoking lyrics. From my early collaborations with Nucleus Roots to more recent works with MessenJah Music and I-niverse, my catalogue reflects a deep commitment to reggae’s mission—speaking truth, uplifting souls, and preserving the culture.Explore a collection of my releases across various labels and collaborations, beginning with my own imprint, Rising Son.⸻🔹 Vinyl Releases:
• That Lady – Rising Son (1990) 7”
• That Lady/Come To Me – Rising Son (1990) 12”Nucleus Roots (Manchester, UK, 2000 - 2016)🔹 Albums & Compilations:
• Run Come Quick – Nucleus Roots / Nucleus Roots (2000)
• Deep Roots – Nucleus Roots / Nucleus Roots (2000)
• Irie Meditation – Nucleus Roots / Universal Love (2002)
• Dreams – Nucleus Roots / Universal Love (2002)
• Behold – Nucleus Roots / Heart of The Matter, Vol 3 (2004)🔹 Vinyl Releases:
• Irie Meditation / Step it up Rasta – Universal Egg (2007)
• State of Mind – Tribe 84 Records (2016)⸻Faya Dub (Paris, France, 2001)
• When The Bread Come Back – Faya Dub / Sings & Plays (2001)
• When The Bread Come Back (Tabla String Dub Remix, Inédit) – Wagram Music / Various (2001)
• When The Bread Come Back – Villa Saint Michel / Samouraï Vill-Du? (2008)⸻Roll & Record (Rennes, France, 2016 - 2019)
• Let Your Light Shine – Roll & Record / Ina Di Radio (2016)
• Every Little Thing – Ruff Diamond / Pure Niceness Riddim EP (2019)⸻Lewis Bennett Dub (Doncaster, UK, 2019)
• Rivers of Babylon – Lewis Bennett Dub (2019)⸻MessenJah Music (Southend On Sea, UK, 2021 - 2022)🔹 Vinyl Release:
• Power & Glory – MessenJah Music (2021)🔹 Digital Releases:
• Envy Not – MessenJah Music (2022)⸻I-niverse (2024)🔹 EP Release:
• Don Hartley Meets I-niverse – Song of Creation EP (2024)
• Song of Creation
• Orthodox Soldier
• Mother Zion
• The Third DayProduced in collaboration with I-niverse, a renowned roots reggae selector and producer, this EP delivers a spiritually rich and uplifting message, rooted in deep reggae tradition.⸻Compilation Features🔹 The Big Mountain Riddim – Various Artists (2022)
• World One Entertainment Label
• Featuring Don Hartley, George Nooks, Mikey General, and more.🔹 The Brick Wall Riddim – Various Artists (2020)
• I Love Sound Production
• Featuring Don Hartley, King Kong, Claire Angel, and other reggae greats.⸻Listen & Explore MoreStream & Purchase:📀 Spotify
📀 Apple Music
📀 YouTube
📀 BandcampMerchandise also availableStay tuned for more releases as I continue to bring reggae music with a message—love and light, truth and right.
Let’s connect
Testimonials