Which Jamaican producer is nicknamed 'The Upsetter'?

The Jamaican producer nicknamed “The Upsetter” is Lee “Scratch” Perry.

Born Rainford Hugh Perry in 1936, Perry became one of reggae’s most inventive producers and singers. He worked at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One before moving to Joe Gibbs’s Amalgamated Records. His confrontational 1968 single “People Funny Boy,” aimed at Gibbs, helped establish his rebellious public image.

Perry formed Upsetter Records and the backing group the Upsetters in 1968. The nickname “The Upsetter” connects directly to that label, his recordings, and his habit of challenging musical and industry conventions. He later founded the Black Ark studio, where unconventional production techniques helped shape dub and influenced artists far beyond Jamaica.

A common mix-up is confusing Perry with Coxsone Dodd or King Tubby. Dodd was a major record producer and Studio One founder, while King Tubby was a pioneering dub engineer. Perry’s special distinction was combining producer, performer, bandleader, and sonic experimenter roles.