Yabby You & The Prophets

Biography

Vivian Neville Jackson, better known as Yabby You, was born on 14 August 1946 in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica. Growing up in poverty in Trench Town, he worked at a foundry from a young age but suffered severe health issues by 17, including mobility problems that left him unable to work and reliant on street hustling, such as giving betting tips at racetracks. During this time, he began writing songs and practicing music with friends, inspired by visions and a deep spiritual faith blending Rastafarianism and Christianity, which shaped his apocalyptic, devotional style of roots reggae.

In 1972, despite no prior production experience, Yabby You gathered top session musicians including Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace, and Earl 'Chinna' Smith at Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Black Ark studio to record 'Conquering Lion,' a hypnotic track mixed by King Tubby that became his signature anthem and earned him his nickname from its chant. He formed the vocal trio The Prophets with Bobby Melody and Alaric Forbes, releasing the Conquering Lion album and a limited dub version, King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub. His success led him to produce for artists like Michael Prophet, Big Youth, and Dillinger, while issuing albums such as Walls of Jerusalem and Chant Down Babylon Kingdom, establishing him as a major roots reggae figure with heavy, spooky rhythms and spiritual protest lyrics.

Yabby You continued recording and performing into the mid-1980s, often on crutches due to health struggles, with songs featured in the 1980 film Babylon. He re-emerged in the 1990s and 2000s with reissues like the acclaimed Jesus Dread compilation and live shows. He passed away on 12 January 2010 from a brain aneurysm, leaving a legacy of sublime, uncompromising roots reggae praised for its musicianship and spiritual depth.

Fun Facts

• Yabby You earned his nickname from the chant 'Be-you, yabby-yabby-you' in his breakthrough single 'Conquering Lion,' which came from a spiritual vision during illness.
• His debut album's dub companion, King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub, was released in a limited run of only 500 copies.
• Despite severe health issues and poverty, he produced and performed live into the 2000s using crutches, viewing music as a divine mission.
• Songs 'Deliver Me From My Enemies' and 'Free Africa' appeared in the 1980 British film Babylon soundtrack on Chrysalis Records.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Studio owner where key early recordings were made, stylistic influence on production (Conquering Lion sessions at Black Ark)

Key Collaborators

• Bobby Melody - Vocal trio member of The Prophets (Conquering Lion album) [1970s]
• Alaric Forbes - Vocal trio member of The Prophets (Conquering Lion album) [1970s]
• King Tubby - Mixing and dub production (Conquering Lion single/version, King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub, various Prophets tracks) [1972-1970s]
• Aston 'Family Man' Barrett - Bassist on foundational riddims (Conquering Lion)
• Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace - Drummer on foundational riddims (Conquering Lion)
• Earl 'Chinna' Smith - Guitarist on foundational riddims (Conquering Lion)
• Michael Prophet - Produced as upcoming artist (Various productions) [1970s]
• Big Youth - Produced as deejay (Various productions) [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia