Please leave suggestions and corrections in the comments. This is a section of the pending Ultimate Guide to Cali Reggae coming.

Essential Cali Reggae Singer/Songwriters

• Eric Rachmany (Rebelution) – Lead singer and guitarist for Rebelution, one of the most popular bands in the genre. Eric’s songwriting emphasizes positive, uplifting messages and a smooth, accessible reggae-rock sound. He also works with the side project Unified Highway.

• Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty (Slightly Stoopid) – Founders  of the legendary Ocean Beach band Slightly Stoopid. As a multi-instrumentalist, Kyle contributes lead vocals and bass, blending reggae, folk, and rock into the band's distinctive sound. Miles contributes lead vocals, guitar, and bass, and his musical foundation and songwriting have been integral to the band's success. 

• Trevor Young (SOJA) – The lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Grammy-winning reggae band SOJA. He joined the band in 2011 and has since taken on a co-producing role, helping to shape the band's modern, hypnotic sound. 

• Steven Jacobo (Tribal Seeds) – The singer, lyricist, and guitarist for the San Diego-based roots-reggae band Tribal Seeds. His writing is spiritually driven and foundational to the band’s refreshing sound. 

• Scott Woodruff (Stick Figure) – The multi-instrumentalist, producer, and creative force behind Stick Figure. Scott started as a one-man band, layering roots reggae with dub, and has since expanded to a full band lineup. 

• Nick Hexum (311))  – Legendary singer, songwriter and rapper, currently the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the multi-platinum alternative rock band 311) and The Nick Hexum Quintet.

• Jackson Wetherbee (The Elovaters) – The lead vocalist, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for the Massachusetts-based reggae-rock band The Elovaters. His writing and vocal style draw influence from old reggae and soul, blended with modern influences. 

• Micah Pueschel (Iration) – The lead vocalist and guitarist for the alternative/reggae band Iration. Micah’s island-influenced sound and songwriting are central to the band's smooth, uplifting vibe. 

• Mike Love – A versatile singer-songwriter from Hawaii, known for his dynamic solo career in addition to his work with the band Full Circle. Mike Love combines roots reggae with elements of folk and rock, delivering passionate, soulful vocals and conscious lyrics. 

• Dan Kelly (Fortunate Youth) – The lead singer of the rock-reggae band Fortunate Youth, known for his smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Dan also has a solo project influenced by blues, country, and soul. 

• Brandon Hardesty / B-Hard (Bumpin Uglies) – The lead vocalist and guitarist for the Maryland-based band Bumpin Uglies. Brandon is known for his honest, unfiltered songwriting, blending reggae rhythms with punk energy and folk storytelling. 

• Matt Roads (Tropidelic) – A founding member and lead vocalist of Tropidelic, an Ohio-based band known for its energetic mix of reggae, funk, and hip-hop. Matt's diverse vocal style and songwriting are at the core of the band's dynamic sound.

• James Begin (Tropidelic) – A vocalist and trombonist for Tropidelic. He provides a dynamic presence both on stage and in the studio.

• Rome Ramirez (Sublime with Rome) – A singer, guitarist, and songwriter who performed with the band Sublime with Rome, carrying on the legacy of the legendary Long Beach band. Rome recently departed to focus on his solo career. 

• Howi Spangler (Ballyhoo!) – The lead vocalist and guitarist for the long-running Maryland reggae-rock band Ballyhoo! Howi’s songwriting has a confessional style, covering personal stories and raw emotions.

• Joshua ”Hook” Swain (The Movement) – A founding member, lead vocalist, and guitarist for The Movement. Joshua is known for his honest, relatable lyrics and for pushing the boundaries of modern reggae.

• Brendan Dane (Alific) –  Blending smooth electronic grooves with roots-reggae rhythms, hip-hop flair, and a soulful chill, Alific (pronounced Ah-lif-ik) is the musical alias of California-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Dane. Since launching the project in the late 2000s, Alific has built a reputation for a richly textured fusion of dub-style basslines, ambient melodies, and genre-bending production that balances head-nodding beats with emotional depth.

• Carter Reeves (Surfer Girl) – Formerly of the hip-hop duo Aer, Carter Reeves launched the solo project Surfer Girl, creating a laid-back, coastal sound. His music combines indie-pop, reggae, surf-rock, and hip-hop. 

• Marco Mar (Mellodose) – The vocalist, writer, and producer known as Mellose. His style is a blend of reggae, rock, and smooth melodies.

• Nick Sefakis – An American roots-reggae artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who was formerly the guitarist and vocalist for the band Iya Terra. He is known for his powerful voice, stage presence, and dub production techniques. 

• Kevin Shields (Little Stranger) – One half of the alternative hip-hop duo Little Stranger. Kevin provides the "in-your-face" vocal delivery for the Philadelphia-by-way-of-Charleston group. 

• John Shields (Little Stranger) – The other half of Little Stranger. John brings melodic, singer-songwriter sensibilities to the duo, blending hip-hop, reggae, and indie-pop.

• Trish Jetton (HIRIE) – The lead vocalist and songwriter for the band HIRIE, known for her captivating stage presence and deeply personal lyrics. Her multicultural upbringing is reflected in her nomadic, introspective, and soulful musical style.

• Gary Dread (The Movement) – The drummer for The Movement and a solo artist. Gary provides a foundational beat for The Movement's signature heavy drum and bass sound. He works with several Cali reggae artists including Rick Haze, Bobby Hustle, Skillinjah, and more.

• Jared Watson and Dustin Bushnell (Dirty Heads) – Jared Watson, known as "Dirty J," is the vocalist, and Dustin Bushnell, known as "Duddy B," is the vocalist and guitarist for the band Dirty Heads. They co-founded the band in 1996, blending hip-hop with reggae and punk. 

• KBong & Johnny Cosmic – A duo project blending reggae, pop, and acoustic influences. KBong is the keyboardist and vocalist from Stick Figure, while Johnny Cosmic is a producer and multi-instrumentalist. They release collaborative singles and albums that highlight uplifting melodies and positive lyricism. The pair tour together, often supporting Stick Figure shows while also performing their own sets.

• Kyle Smith – A singer-songwriter from Ventura, CA, Kyle Smith blends Southern California reggae with acoustic rock, punk, and hip-hop. His honest lyrics are inspired by his personal journey, delivering a message of hope.

• Josh Henrichs – an American reggae singer/songwriter who was the former lead singer of indie reggae band Jah Roots and current owner/operator of indie reggae record label, GanJah Records. Since leaving the band in 2008, Heinrichs has launched a successful solo career and has released several albums, including a #1 Billboard charting release with Good Vibes in 2016.

• Mike Pinto – A singer-songwriter known for his storytelling and genre-blending style, incorporating reggae, folk, and rock. He is a prominent fixture in the Southern California reggae scene and known for his witty lyrics and laid-back vibe. 

• Bobby Hustle – A reggae artist and producer from Seattle. Bobby was drawn to reggae through ska and has released multiple EPs and albums, working with international reggae producers.

• Jr. King (Common Kings) – The powerful lead vocalist for the band Common Kings. With a wide vocal range and soulful delivery, his voice is at the heart of the band's blend of reggae, R&B, and island music. 

• Benny Coleman (Quasi Kings, ex-Shrub) – One of the brothers leading the reggae-rock band Quasi Kings. He contributes vocals and bass to the band's worldly and distinctive blend of reggae, rock, and hip-hop.

• Evan and Spencer Burton (Indubious) – Evan Burton is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and Spencer Burton is the bass virtuoso and lyrical vocalist. The brothers co-founded the Oregon-based band Indubious, contributing to their unique reggae fusion sound. 

• Jay Shrub (Shrub) – A core member of the band Shrub, known for his vocals and reggae work.

• DENM – A versatile Southern California singer, songwriter, and producer known for blending reggae with elements of pop and hip-hop. His genre-bending album Slum Beach Denny earned him critical acclaim.

• Bradley Nowell (Sublime , posthumous) – The influential late lead singer of the iconic Long Beach band Sublime. Bradley’s unique blend of reggae, ska, and punk laid the groundwork for much of the Cali reggae-rock scene