Hermosa Beach, CA

Veterans of other bands who all jumped ship, Fortunate Youth were formed primarily out of the Rude Boy Roots crew along with other South Bay reggae regulars who attended open-mike nights in Hermosa Beach. In 2010 they made their official debut with the Up-Lifted EP, while their aptly titled debut album, Irie State of Mind, followed in 2011. The album It's All a Jam arrived in 2013 and climbed to number one on Billboard's reggae charts. After the release of the first volume of their Dub Collections, they issued Don't Think Twice, which featured guest spots by the Green, Marlon "Ganja Farmer" Asher, and the Expanders. Love Is the Most High followed the next year. In 2017 they released a self-titled LP that included appearances by Slightly Stoopid vocalist Kyle McDonald ("Irie State") and Kumar Bent ("Dial My Number"). ~ David Jeffries