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Third World
artist

Third World

Third World is a reggae artist from Jamaica formed in 1973. 60 releases are catalogued on Riffiter.

Reggae · Jamaica · Best reggae albums

60
Releases
1976–2026
Active years
1973
Formed

Discography

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96 Degrees in the Shade cover

Most popular

96 Degrees in the Shade

1977 · 8 tracks

Singles & EPs

28

Live & compilations

6

Appears on

2

Releases by other artists featuring Third World.

Featured tracks

3

Collaborators

8

Past shows

All past shows →

Community

More about Third World

About

Third World are a Jamaican reggae band formed in 1973. Their sound is influenced by soul, funk and disco. Although they have undergone several lineup changes, Stephen "Cat" Coore and Richard Daley have been constant members, and singer William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke has been with them since 1976, singing on all but their debut album. Third World started when keyboard player Michael "Ibo" Cooper and guitarist (and cellist) Stephen "Cat" Coore (son of former Deputy Prime Minister David Coore), who had originally played in The Alley Cats then Inner Circle, subsequently left to form their own band along with Inner Circle singer Milton "Prilly" Hamilton. They recruited bassist Richard Daley, formerly of Ken Boothe's band and Tomorrow's Children, and added drummer Carl Barovier and former Inner Circle percussionist Irvin "Carrot" Jarrett before making their live debut in early 1974. After recording some tracks with Geoffrey Chung which were not released, the band's first single was the self-produced "Railroad Track" (1974).

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In their early days they played primarily in Kingston's hotels and nightclubs and (along with The Wailers) supported The Jackson Five when they played at the Jamaican National Stadium. They were soon signed by Island Records and toured Europe with The Wailers. The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1976. The album included a cover of "Satta Massagana", originally performed by The Abyssinians, which became a local hit. Hamilton and Barovier were replaced by singer (and another former Inner Circle member) Wlliam "Bunny Rugs" Clarke and drummer Willie Stewart before the recording of their second album, 96° in the Shade (1977), which included several local hits. Notable among its eight tracks were "1865 (96° in the Shade)", "Rhythm of Life" and the album's only cover, "Dreamland", written by Bunny Wailer. They played in front of 80,000 people at the Smile Jamaica festival in 1976

Third World in brief

How many Third World releases are on Riffiter?
60 releases are catalogued, spanning 1976 to 2026.
When was Third World formed?
Third World formed in 1973, in Jamaica.
What genre is Third World?
Third World is catalogued under Reggae, Roots Reggae.
What is the most recent Third World release on Riffiter?
25th Anniversary, released in 2026.

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