Marcia Griffiths

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths (born 23 November 1949) is a Jamaican singer best known for the 1989 remix of her single "Electric Boogie", which serves as the music for the four-wall "Electric Slide" line dance. It is the best-selling single of all time by a female reggae singer. She has been referred to as the "Queen of Reggae".

Biography Born in West Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths started her career in 1964, performing on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at the behest of Phillip James of The Blues Busters, who had heard her singing in her neighbourhood. Her performance was sufficiently impressive that the following day Ronnie Nasralla and Clement Dodd both offered her recording contracts. She had further hits with producer Donovan Germain.

Griffiths 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".

A Brazilian documentary film about Griffiths, Reggae Meets Samba, was in production as of December 2013.

In January 2014, she announced that as part of her fiftieth year in the music business, she would release an album of her favorite songs by other artists, Songs That Inspire Me, Songs I Love to Sing, recorded with Germain.

In January 2018, Griffiths signed an exclusive booking deal with New York-based Donsome Records' booking agency.

Personal life

Griffiths had two children with JBC disc jockey Errol Thompson, and raised them alone after his death in 1983.

In October 2023, Griffiths was conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) Jamaica’s fourth-highest national honour.

Discography

Albums Sweet Bitter Love (1974) Naturally (1978) Steppin (1979) Rock My Soul (1984) Marcia (1988) Carousel (1990) Indomitable (1995) Land of Love (1997) Collectors Series (1998) Truly (1998) Certified (1999) Reggae Max (2003) Shining Time (2005) Melody Life (2007) Marcia Griffiths & Friends (2012) Timeless (2019)

Singles