Josey Wales

Josey Wales was born Joseph Winston Sterling on October 9, 1956, in St. Mary, Jamaica, taking his stage name from the Clint Eastwood film The Outlaw Josey Wales. He began his career in 1977 as a deejay on the Roots Unlimited sound system before moving to U-Roy's King Sturgav sound system.

Wales's popularity surged in the early 1980s performing on producer Henry 'Junjo' Lawes's Volcano sound system. His 1983 debut album, The Outlaw Josey Wales, established him as one of the island's top deejays, ranked alongside Yellowman and Brigadier Jerry. Unlike Yellowman, Wales built his reputation on culturally and spiritually conscious, Rastafari-inflected lyrics.

In 1987 Wales introduced his young protégé, Shabba Ranks, to producer King Jammy, a connection widely credited with helping launch Shabba's career. In October 2017, the Jamaican government invested Wales with the Order of Distinction.

Josey Wales's legacy rests on his role as one of the architects of the modern dancehall deejay style. As mentor to Shabba Ranks, who went on to become the first dancehall artist to win a Grammy, Wales's influence extends directly into dancehall's mainstream international breakthrough. He remains active as of 2026, performing at legacy and tribute events.