Tall Rich

Tall Rich, born Eric Hamilton in December 1969, is a Jamaican roots reggae singer and songwriter raised in St Thomas, Jamaica. He attended Morant Bay School, with music playing an important part in his upbringing. His grandmother regularly sang, while his uncle, reggae artist Uplifter, introduced him to Rastafari teachings and the cultural messages carried through the music.

Growing up around singers like Everton Blender, Sluggie Ranks, Trevor Sparks and Frankie Paul, Tall Rich developed a respect for roots reggae and conscious lyrics. Rastafari became central to his music, influencing songs about spirituality, social injustice and everyday life.

The name Tall Rich was originally given to him by family and friends, who recognised the richness of his sound, while 'Tall' referred to his physical stature. Bronco Knowledge later added 'Heights', creating the name Tall Heights Rich, in recognition of what he described as Rich's higher spiritual vibrations.

Building a Career

In 2004 he moved to the UK and became involved in London's reggae scene, working with artists, producers and studios including Tippa Irie, Computer Paul, Starrgate, Dada Ras Productions and Roots Rebel Sound. His recordings during this period ranged from conscious roots reggae to lovers rock.

His recording work also took him to Junior Delgado's studio in Tooting, South London, where he worked with engineer Paggy. By 2012, he was based in Bristol, continuing to record and perform while maintaining connections with producers across the UK.

Live performances brought opportunities to share stages with established musicians including legends such as Beres Hammond, Judy Mowatt, Maxi Priest, Freddie McGregor, Sly & Robbie and Al Campbell.

Changes and Independence

Tall Rich's debut album, Changes, originally released in 2011 and was re-released in 2018. The 14-track collection included What's Going On, Praise Jah and Rastafari Gives Us Everything, drawing on sessions with producers in the UK and Jamaica.

He also contributed to numerous riddim projects, including What Kind of Life on the Roots Rebel Riddim, We're Not Free on the Set Us Free Riddim and Chain Linked on the Big One Drop Riddim.

Other recordings included No War, Everywhere I Go and Miss Uganda, featuring Ugandan artist Kante. These recordings also connected him with producers across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, reaching audiences beyond the UK.

Live Performances

His live work continued across the UK, including appearances in Bristol, where he performed at a reggae fundraiser at the Trinity Centre in 2013, supporting the Matthew Tree Project.

In 2017, he toured the UK alongside Isiah Mentor, Jah Garvey and Jah Topie, followed by performances in Uganda. That December, he also appeared at the Fermain Tavern in Guernsey as part of Vale Earth Fair's Reggae Christmas event, performing with local band Rentoclean.

Plans for more recordings and appearances were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he continued writing new tracks during that time, some of which would later contribute to his second album.

Genuine Love

The second album, Genuine Love, arrived in 2026 as the long-awaited follow-up to Changes. Its 20 tracks bring together material developed over many years with musicians and producers from all over the world.

In his 2026 interview with Pauzeradio, he explained that the project had been taking shape since around 2015–2016. Initially intended to have a different title, it became Genuine Love following a suggestion from Kris Kemist of Reality Shock Records.

The album reflects a diverse range of musical connections. Jungle Weed of Universal Egg brought dub influences to Time After Time, while Sierra Leonean artist Afrimaroon collaborated on several recordings. Bristol singers Sophie-May and Celestine also contributed, with producer Uri Green working on three tracks.

He also discussed Endangered Species, one of the album's most significant tracks, explaining how the concerns of the COVID-19 lockdown influenced his songwriting.

Recent Music and Rastafari

Following Genuine Love, Tall Rich released Killa inna Uniform, a standalone single developed after discussions with Jamaican songwriter Teddy Bradshaw. The recording continued his interest in addressing violence, political events and social injustice through music.

More recently, he travelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to film a music video. The visit held particular significance given Ethiopia's central place in Rastafari, taking him to a country whose spiritual and cultural importance has influenced the music he has created throughout his career.

Rastafari has remained at the heart of his music throughout his career, influencing both his lyrics and the subjects he chooses to address. Whether singing about injustice, spirituality or relationships, his recordings reflect the beliefs and experiences that have shaped his life since growing up in Jamaica.