Unsung Reggae Artist (Garnett Silk)

Garnet Damion Silk was born on April 2, 1966 in Hatfield,  Manchester, Jamaica. He was the 6^th of his mother’s 9 children. Garnett knew what he wanted to be as a child and started his musical career early. At the age of 12 years old, he had his first stage appearance at the Soul Remembrance sound system where he used the stage name “Bimbo”.  There he started his journey as a DJ. During the 1980s, in addition to working on Soul Remembrance, Garnett also on sound systems such as Pepper’s Disco, Conquering Lion, Destiny Outernational and Stereophonic. In 1985, at the age of 19 years old, Garnett took his musical journey a step further and recorded his first track. It took him two years though to release his first single called “Problem Everywhere”, in which Garnet deejayed his lyrics. (See video below) 

This single did not perform well so Garnett began focusing more on singing after veteran Derrick Morgan suggested this. He moved from Manchester to Kingston, Jamaica where he joined Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotion label to release the single “No Disrespect.” This was later featured on Easy Star compilation set “Hidden Treasures Vol. 1” .

While in Kingston, he met Tony Rebel and they would often perform as a duo around the sound system. Tony along with poet Yasus Afari eventually convinced Garnett to become a Rastafarian. Steely and Clevie, now renowned Jamaican producers, met Garnett Silk at their session jams at Mixing Lab Studio. Steely saw a singer in Garnet and advised him to use his real name instead of “Bimbo” as that name matched his smooth vocals best. In 1990, he signed his first recording contact with Steely and Clevie and began working on his debut album. Only one song – a combination tune with Chevelle Franklin entitled “We Could Be Together”  was released from the recording sessions. This was not what Garnet Silk hoped and worked for. He returned home to Manchester. But, he never gave up on music. He used this time to write many of his hits we know today.

Once again, he met Tony Rebel who introduced him to the owner of Roof International label, Courtney Cole. He then recorded many of his hits at this studio. Some of these are “Seven Spanish Angels”, “Mama” and a cover of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now”. These early singles were gathered and later made into an album titled “Nothing Can Divide Us”.

It took Garnet Silk until 1992 to release his first album “It’s Growing” made at Kingston’s Digital B Studio, under producer Bobby Digital. Garnet had already experienced some success by that time. When his album was released, it was a hit and had something for everyone. That year “It’s Growing” became one of the best-selling albums in Jamaica. From there, Garnet was on a roll. 

His single “Hello Mama Africa” produced by Richard “Bello” Bell became first his international hit, and topped the reggae chart in Britain. He would then work with producers across the island, resulting in more hits such as “Lord, Watch Over Our Shoulders” and “Fill Us Up with Mercy”, “Zion in a Vision”, “Splashing Dashing” and more. 

Garnett’s musical career had taken flight and showed no signs of slowing down. This affected Garnett’s health. During a show at the Ritz in New York, Garnett collapsed due to low blood pressure and exhaustion. He had to cancel his scheduled performs for the next 6 months; this included his first performance at the Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest.

 In 1994, he was back at it, rejoined Steely and Clevie and made a major hit titled “Love is the Answer”. He retook the stage and headlined that year’s Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Sunsplash where he mesmerized his audience with his profound performances. Garnett then signed an international distribution deal with Atlantic Records and was ready to work on his second album. With producer Errol Brown, he recorded at the Tuff Gong Studios. Garnet recorded 10 songs and was near the completion of his album where life took a turn no one expected. 


On December 9, 1994, Garnett visited his mother, Etiga Gray. What happened during that visit left the world confused and heartbroken. It was reported that his mother’s house went up in flames. There are several stories as to how this fire started and no concrete evidence to this day as to what actually happened. It is said Garnett, his two brothers and friends escaped the burning house but Garnett’s mother was trapped inside. Garnett returned to the burning house to save her. Garnett Silk and his mother never made it out. Garnett was in the height of his career when he died, leaving behind his wife who was pregnant at the time and his other three children. He was only 28 years old when he died. His last song "Zion in A Vision" has been said to allude to his death.  

Garnett’s soul continues to lives on through his music. There were several compilations, tributes, recordings and videos released after his death. Atlantic Records released a two CD set displaying his 10 tracks from his unfinished album, titled The Definitive Collection. His son and some family members went on to become musicians, constantly paying respects to his music and life. 

Garnett Damian Silk is an unsung Reggae artist we will never forget.

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