Vocalist. Song Writer. Musician. Spirit.
GREG ROY - Jamaican roots reggae artist best known for his fiery stage presence and uplifting, poetic performance style. Bringing his original blend of reggae music and story-telling ability, Greg Roy has been capturing audiences throughout Jamaica and the United States for decades.
Born Gregory Whitehead in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Greg Roy’s journey into the reggae music scene began at an early age as a song writer, sound engineer, record producer, and host for Jamaica 91.7’s “Our Views on Rastafari” radio show. His Jah-given talent for creating original music was nurtured by elder reggae greats, and his early musical influences included Bob Marley & the Wailers, Dennis Brown, and his namesake, Gregory Isaacs. At the age of 15, adopting the name Mr. Ice, he formed his first band along with his brothers and some friends released his first single. Beginning in the late 1990’s, Mr. Ice headlined performances across Jamaica’s music stages and dancehalls and was a featured performer on various collaborations. After landing in the Bronx, NY and while moonlighting as a show host on Linkage Radio, Mr. Ice shared his music and messages with a fresh group of listeners.
It was time to move on….
The desire to devote his time solely to the music led to new avenues, and so in late 2014, the journey continued to the Boston, MA area. In 2015, with the help of Italian-based GREEZZLY Productions, Moving On was released and featured on www.reggaevill.com as well as an article in Germany’s Riddim-Magazine.
After planting solid roots and a period of discovery and self-reflection, it was time for Mr. Ice to step to the back and allow a more mature, philosophical, and soulful GREG ROY to emerge. With acoustic guitar in hand, Greg Roy deeply connected with his Jamaican roots and the experiences life brings – both personal and of others who have crossed his path – to deliver spiritual, socially-conscious musical anthems and messages of love.
“I believe that love breaks any barrier, and so I approach every situation with love. I believe the spreading of this virus called love is most important right now, and so that’s where I am building, for transference of that kind of energy and trying to help families in particular. Somehow we are going to cycle out of all this madness.” - Greg Roy, DIGBoston, November 2019
In September 2020, Greg Roy released his first acoustic album, entitled CALL ON JAH, which features old campfire favorites and new songs that speak to current affairs. Prior releases have included TOMORROW in 2019 Ooh La La 2018 and a number of self-produced singles including Bad Prayer and These Words To You (2020) and There (2019). Greg Roy is a featured artist on several collaborations, including Angry Beast Riddim (Giddimani Records, 2020), and Mama Afrika Riddim to name a few
As the former lead vocalist for Boston’s Bob Marley cover band, The Duppy Conquerors (2016-2019), Greg Roy’s charisma and positive energy was introduced to the larger New England music scene.
A two-time nominee (2020 & 2019) for Boston Music Awards International Artist of the Year, Greg Roy continues to imprint his unique brand upon the international reggae music landscape. He has been invited back for performances at notable events, festivals, and venues across New England including The Chicken Box, Brigham & Woman's Hospital, The Middle East Nightclub, Showcase SuperLux Chestnut Hill, Thunder Road, Live @ Union Court, Boston Local Music Festival, Payomet Performing Arts Center, Sugarloaf, Spire Center for Performing Arts, Boston Jerk-Fest, Electric Haze, Sally O’Brien’s, The Reggae Takeova, Bishop Luong, Camp Kee-wanee, Strangecreek, Mt Snow, Bee Hive, Lizard Luong, The New World Tavern. Greg Roy maintains a weekly residency at Boston’s Fenway Johnnie’s 96 Brookline Avenue Boston,ma