Robbie Shakespeare

Robbie Shakespeare
Shakespeare performing at TFF Rudolstadt in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Robert Shakespeare
Born	(1953-09-27) 27 September 1953 (age 63) Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae dub
Occupation(s)	Musician record producer
Instruments	Bass guitar vocals
Associated acts	Sly and Robbie The Aggrovators The Revolutionaries

Robert "Robbie" Shakespeare (born 27 September 1953) is a Jamaican bass guitarist and record producer, best known as the one half of the reggae rhythm section and production duo Sly and Robbie. Regarded as one of the most influential reggae bassists, Shakespeare is also known for his creative use of electronics and production effects.

As a part of Sly and Robbie, Shakespeare worked with various reggae artist such as U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman and Black Uhuru. His production work also extended beyond the reggae genre, covering various pop and rock artists such as Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Yoko Ono and Grace Jones. Prior to his involvement in Sly and Robbie, he was a member of the session groups The Revolutionaries and The Aggrovators.

Shakespeare appeared in the 2011 documentary “Reggae Got Soul: The Story of Toots and the Maytals” which was featured on BBC and described as “The untold story of one of the most influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica”.