Judah Eskender Tafari

Ronald William Merrills (23 July 1957 – 5 June 2020), better known by the stage name Judah Eskender Tafari was a Jamaican reggae vocalist and musician, known for his distinct vocal tone, and spiritual outlook. His records on the Studio One label are regarded as classics. He died in 2020 after a lengthy illness.

Career Tafari grew up poor in Gordon Town, Jamaica. He taught himself to play guitar and formed a group with friends 'The Captive Lions' who became the backup group for singer Asher Mackafat. Tracks from these sessions continued to be released into the 2000s. Also in the 2000s a number of the original Studio One tracks, and extended mixes thereof, were released on other labels such as Heartbeat Records and Soul Jazz Records.

Tafari died from cancer on 5 June 2020.

Discography Albums Rastafari Tell You (1995), Gussie P The Builder (1998), Tan-Yah Long Suffering (2019), Rhygin Divine Right (2020), Black Redemption Life (2020), Black Redemption

EPs Judah's Gift: Love and Peace (2013), Mind Music Production Judah's Gift: Upliftment (2016), Mind Music Production Listen to the Lion (2020), Tuff Gong International - Natural Numbers feat. Judah Eskender Tafari

Singles "Danger in Your Eyes" (1978), Studio One - as Ronald Merrills "Never Conquer" (1978), Studio One "Jah Light" (1978), Studio One "Rastafari Tell You" (1979), Studio One "Just Another Day" (1979), Studio One "Always Trying" (1979), Studio One "Live by the Gun" (1994), Gussie P "Can't Say" (1995), Shaka "Up In Harlem" (1997), Eternal Life "Look Down Jah" (1997), Eternal Life "Mighty Long" (1997), Eternal Life "Closer" (1997), Eternal Life "Live by the Gun" (2002), Gussie P "African Blood" (2002), Gussie P "Jah Light" (2002), Sip-a-Cup "Life" (2007), Black Redemption "Home Sweet Home" (2009), Black Legacy "Cleanse" (2010), Black Redemption "Government Man" (2010), Black Redemption "A Chant of Judah" (2010), Black Redemption "Choose One" (2010), Black Redemption "The Real Things" (2010), Black Redemption "Land Of Confusion (Ticklah Remix)" (2010), Black Redemption/Lion Dub "Peace" (2012), Descendant "Jah Love" (2013), Black Redemption "Sitting in the Park" (2013), Rhygin "Fret Not" (2014), Blackheart Warriors "Crying" (2015), King Shiloh "Danger in Your Eyes" (2015), Revolutionary Brothers Music "New Dawning" (2016), FarEye Entertainment "Sold for Naught" (2017), Blackheart Warriors "When I Was Young" (2017), Great Wall "Coming" (2018), Universal Love "Left Us Empty" (2018), Blackboard Jungle "Time to Love" (2018), I Lion "Exalted One" (2018), Bredrin "Get Some Love" (2019), Roots Youths