Five J'cans make Billboard's top Reggae Album list

Billboard has released its list of year end chart toppers and five Jamaicans have albums have made it into the top 15 reggae albums of 2017.

Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley’s 'Stony Hill', Chronixx’s 'Chronology', Stylez’s 'Back To My Roots', Stephen Marley’s 'Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life' and Bob Marley’s 'The Legend Live' have all made the cut.

The list, published earlier this week, shows Jr Gong placing the highest of the Jamaicans, copping the top spot on the list, while Stylez and Chronixx hold the number five and six spots respectively.

Jr Gong's father, the late reggae legend Bob Marley came in at number 14 while his brother Stephen Marley closed out the group at number 15.

The other 10 spots are held by non-Jamaicans including Grammy-nominated acts Common Kings and J Boog who came in at third and fourth respectively.

On the chart which lists the top 10 reggae artistes for 2017, only three Jamaicans made the cut, two of whom are nominated for Best Reggae Album in the 2018 Grammy Awards (Chronixx and Jr Gong).

On that list, Jr Gong holds the number two spot while California-based band Rebelution holds the top spot. Stylez is the other Jamaican to make it on to that list coming in at number five, one spot above Chronixx.

The other seven spots are held by non-Jamaicans including the likes of Major Lazer, Stick Figure, SOJA and Collie Budz. Both lists reflect a trend that has been on going in the genre of reggae in recent times as non-Jamaicans continue to dominate the genre that was birthed in Jamaica.