For decades, rock and reggae lived in their own separate worlds. Yes, there were major artists who combined influences from both — like The Police, Elvis Costello, Madness and others — but for the most part, the musical styles stayed in their own lanes.
Then, in the ‘90s, something changed. A new breed of reggae rock emerged. It was American-ized, without losing its Jamaican influences. Punk was firmly entrenched in its sound, with ska, dub and hip hop all woven into the fabric. Most – though certainly not all – of this new wave of acts came from Southern California, so much that some people adopted the term “Cali-reggae” for the new breed of music.
While the sub-genre really took off in the 2000s, the foundation was laid in the ’90s. Below, we’ve ranked the Top 10 ‘90s Reggae Rock Albums.
10. Slightly Stoopid, ‘Slightly $toopid’ (1996)
Signed by Bradley Nowell to Skunk Records while its members were still in high school, Slightly Stoopid’s debut was raw, skate-punk mixed with reggae grooves. Far from a mainstream hit, the album was instead an underground success. Still the material pointed at the band’s future fame and Slightly $toopid is now regarded as a foundational record in the Cali reggae lineage.
9. Sublime, ‘Robbin the Hood’ (1994)
Sublime’s Robbin’ the Hood is polarizing among the band’s fans. Some feel its lo-fi, raw presentation detracts from the material, while others embrace it as Sublime’s most experimental release. Recorded on a shoestring budget, the album captures Bradley Nowell’s restless creativity, moving from reggae-punk burners like “STP” and “Saw Red” (featuring Gwen Stefani) to sprawling, psychedelic tracks like “Lincoln Highway Dub.” Interspersed with chaotic spoken-word skits, it feels equal parts homemade mixtape and underground manifesto.
8. Reel Big Fish, ‘Turn the Radio Off’ (1996)
Coming out of Huntington Beach, CA, Reel Big Fish started out as a cover band in the early ‘90s. Their popularity would quickly grow, and they truly hit the big time with their sophomore album Turn the Radio Off. The album blends ska, reggae and punk, while boasting horn-driven fun and incredibly catchy melodies. Ironically, the song “Sell Out” took Reel Big Fish to mainstream success, but the LP features plenty of highlights, including “Beer” and “Everything Sucks.” Turn the Radio Off became a gateway into reggae/ska fusion for a generation of music lovers.
7. 311, ‘Grassroots’ (1994)
311 honed their reggae/rock/rap fusion on their second record, 1994’s Grassroots. Songs like “Homebrew” and “8:16 A.M.” capture the laid-back but funky energy that made them cult favorites prior to their mainstream success. Most 311 fans regard this as the album where the band found its perfect formula, one they would ride to fame on future releases.
6. Sublime, ’40oz. to Freedom’ (1992)
Sublime’s 1992 debut is a raw, groundbreaking effort that laid the blueprint for modern reggae rock. 40oz. to Freedom blends punk urgency, reggae grooves, ska rhythms, and hip-hop swagger into a gritty, sun-soaked sound. Tracks like “Badfish,” “Date Rape” and the band’s cover of “Smoke Two Joints” became anthems to the reggae rock movement. These songs served as Sublime’s entry point into mainstream success, earning some of the band’s earliest radio airplay. The album initially resonated with the SoCal surf, skate, and stoner subcultures, but eventually spread nationwide. 40oz. to Freedom remains a defining statement of Sublime’s enduring influence on alternative and reggae rock music.
5. 311, ‘Transistor’ (1997)
After the chart-topping triumph of their self-titled album, this ambitious double LP pushed 311’s reggae-rock sound into spacier, dub-influenced territory. At the time the shift was polarizing – some fans felt a deeper lean into a heavier, rap-rock sound would have been the better move. Of course, hindsight shows Nick Hexum and company knew exactly what they were doing. Transistor is now considered one of 311’s boldest statements, and an important marker in their impressive career.
4. Long Beach Dub Allstars, ‘Right Back’ (1999)
After Bradley Nowell’s death in 1996, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars. The group effectively carried the torch Sublime had left behind, carrying reggae rock into the new millennium. Their debut album is a true jam, blending dub, hip-hop, and punk with guest appearances from reggae legends like Half Pint and Barrington Levy. Other featured contributors include Bad Brains’ H.R., Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge, and Opie Ortiz (who later became LBDA’s lead singer).
3. No Doubt, ‘Tragic Kingdom’ (1995)
Don’t roll your eyes. Yes, No Doubt soon evolved away from their reggae punk roots to a far poppier sound, but Tragic Kingdom remains the perfect culmination of their various influences. Ska, reggae, rock, hip-hop, these and other genres can be found within their iconic, multi-platinum release. “Spiderwebs” and “Sunday Morning” helped propel ska/reggae fusion into the mainstream, while “Excuse Me Mr.” and “Just a Girl” proved that this burgeoning new scene could appeal to men and women alike.
2. 311, ‘311’ (1995)
311’s self-titled LP, commonly referred to as the “Blue Album,” marked their mainstream breakthrough and remains a cornerstone of ’90s reggae-rock fusion. Blending reggae grooves, funk, punk, and rap-rock energy, the record delivered radio staples like “Down” and “All Mixed Up,” which showcased the band’s knack for melodic hooks alongside explosive riffs. Though 311 hailed from Omaha, Nebraska, their vibe reflected the eclectic SoCal spirit. With its seamless genre-hopping and feel-good rhythms, the Blue Album helped pave the way for the wider acceptance of reggae-rock in mainstream alternative music.
1. Sublime, ‘Sublime’ (1996)
This is the holy grail of reggae-rock, a generation-defining album from front to back. Packed with hits like “What I Got,” “Santeria,” and “Wrong Way,” Sublime’s self-titled album meshed musical styles together into something mainstream audiences had never heard before. Their success would open the doors for a wide range of artists, including Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads, Iration, Rebelution and many more. Sublime may not have invented reggae rock, but in the eyes and ears of listeners around the world, they perfected it.
