Born in Kingston, Jamaica on July 11, 1957, Michael Rose was fortunate enough to be introduced to music as a teenager by his older brother Joseph. Blessed with an outstanding voice, Michael Rose would regularly meet in Kingston with singers, musicians, writers, and producers such as Dennis Brown , Big Youth, The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Sly and Robbie, and others. With his brothers he sang the hotel circuit.

Michael Rose started his recording career as a solo artist for producers Yabby U and Niney The Observer .

He joined Black Uhuru in 1974? after the departure of Don Carlos & Garth Dennis. He led them to international success in the early 1980s, having written most of their popular material. They won the first-ever Grammy Award for Reggae in 1985 for the album "Anthem" with the hallmark voice of Michael Rose in the forefront.

After the release of "Anthem" Michael left Black Uhuru and retired to the Blue Mountains in Jamaica to start a coffee farm. He released a string of singles in Jamaica, but nothing much was heard of him outside the island until 1989, when he was signed to RCA and released the stringly pop-influenced album "Proud" in Europe and Japan. The deal with RCA was short-lived however, and Rose returned to Jamaica to record a new string of Sly & Robbie produced singles. He also recorded for other producers but the only albums were the Japan-only releases "Bonanza" (1991) and "King Of General" (1992). The Sly & Robbie singles were eventually released on the vinyl-only "Sly And Robbie presents: Mykall Rose - The Taxi Sessions" in 1995. 1995 also saw his American debut as a solo artist with the album "Michael Rose" on Heartbeat Records. The single "Short Temper" reached #2 on the Gavin Reggae Chart.

In the period 1995-2004 Heartbeat Records released a total of 9 albums including "Live - Party In Session" and a compilation entitled "Happiness - The Best Of Michael Rose". Next to these albums, a great amount of different recordings appeared on dozens of jamaican vinyl singles and several albums, including "Last Chance" which was #1 on the British Reggae charts for several weeks. More often than not, his name was spelled "Mykal Rose", "Mikal Roze", which Rose has said is the Ethiopian way of spelling his name, which made it feel closer to home. It would also appear that, in general, the music was not released in the order of recording.

In 2002, Rose recorded 2 albums: "Babylon 9/11 Tip Of The Iceberg" (released on Love Injection in 2004), and a yet untitled album for African Star records. In August 2002 Rose was reported arrested in Miami Airport by US Marshalls in a case of mistaken identity. Although he was released, it resulted in Rose losing his US work permit.

Rose sensationally re-joined Black Uhuru in February 2004, and performed several concerts in Jamaica and Europe with the group. They also released a jamaican single "Dollars" and reportedly have recorded a yet untitled and unreleased album. Yet, in spite of his reunion with Uhuru, Michael Rose still tours, records and releases material as a solo artist. Another new album "African Roots" produced by Ryan Moore/MRecords is announced to be released April 18th 2005.

His distinct vocal style, his "tu tu twang", and other scats, have inspired many singers.

Michael Rose photographs etc [[1]]