HOPETON JAMES
Born in Kingston in 1961, Hopeton James came up at a time when Jamaican music was shifting fast. Roots reggae was strong, digital sounds were creeping in, and singers had to be versatile. He was exactly that. By the early 1980s, he’d already made a name for himself as a smooth, confident vocalist who could move between soul, roots, and early dancehall without losing his identity. His work at King Jammy’s studio produced some of his strongest material, including Ready To Rock and the unforgettable Sure Shot Medley. The latter was released in 1988, the same year he linked up with producer Hartnel Henry, better known as Sky High. That collaboration led to the full-length album Send Love, which included several singles. One of them was Be Happy, his reggae take on Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy.