Master Blaster (Jammin')

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980[2] and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart,[3] and number one in New Zealand.

"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Hotter than July
B-side
  • "Master Blaster" (instrumental) (7-inch)
  • "Master Blaster" (dub) (12-inch)
ReleasedSeptember 12, 1980
Recorded1979
GenreReggae
Length
  • 6:11 (12-inch)
  • 5:08 (album)
  • 4:49 (7-inch)
LabelTamla
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Outside My Window"
(1980)		 "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
(1980)		 "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It"
(1980)
Official audio
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" on YouTube
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard(favourable)[1]

History

The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe. The song has a similar feel to Marley's own song "Jamming," from his 1977 album Exodus.[4]

Record World said that it combines "topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms."[5]

Personnel
  • Stevie Wonder – vocals, Fender Rhodes, clavinet
  • Nathan Watts – bass
  • Benjamin Bridges – guitar
  • Dennis Davis – drums
  • Earl DeRouen – percussion
  • Isaiah Sanders – organ
  • Hank Redd – saxophone
  • Larry Gittens – trumpet
  • Rick Zunigar – guitar
  • Background vocals – Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 50,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Gold 75,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Silver 250,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

DJ Luck & MC Neat version
"Masterblaster 2000"
Single by DJ Luck & MC Neat feat. JJ
from the album It's All Good
ReleasedMay 15, 2000 (2000-05-15)[39]
GenreUK garage
Length3:32 (radio mix)
LabelRed Rose
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)DJ Luck
DJ Luck & MC Neat singles chronology
"A Little Bit of Luck"
(1999)		 "Masterblaster 2000"
(2000)		 "Ain't No Stoppin' Us"
(2000)

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" was covered by UK garage duo DJ Luck & MC Neat featuring singer JJ, initially titled as "On da Street" which was released on the Red Rose EP in 1999. The following year, on 15 May 2000, the song was released as a single and retitled as "Masterblaster 2000". This version was a top-five hit, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart. It samples the All-Star Remix of "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, which itself samples "As Long as I've Got You" by the Charmels.

In November 2016, UK duo Gorgon City compiled a list of their top UK garage songs for Billboard, with "Masterblaster 2000" at number 29.[40] In 2018, the House & Garage Orchestra together with MC Neat and Oggie recorded an orchestral version for the UK garage covers album Garage Classics.

Charts
Chart (2000) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[41] 24
Scotland (OCC)[42] 37
UK Singles (OCC)[43] 5
UK Dance (OCC)[44] 1

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Review: Master Blaster – Stevie Wonder" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 38. September 20, 1980. p. 71. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 24, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 636.
  3. "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  4. Patti, Mike (April 15, 2021). "Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster" Tribute to Bob Marley". The Pier. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  5. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. September 20, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  8. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  9. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Stevie Wonder". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 284. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Master Blaster". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  11. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  13. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  14. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  15. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')". VG-lista. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  16. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  17. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  18. "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  19. "Stevie Wonder: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  20. "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  21. "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  22. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 13, 1980". Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  23. "Offiziellecharts.de – Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  24. "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. January 5, 1981. Retrieved January 17, 2022 – via Imgur.
  25. "Jaaroverzichten 1980". Ultratop. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  26. "Top Annuali Single 1980". Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  27. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  28. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1980". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  29. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
  30. Swiss Year-End Charts, 1980
  31. "Chart File". Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 21, 1981. p. 37.
  32. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1980". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  33. Musicoutfitters.com
  34. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1981". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  35. "Billboard Vol. 94, No. 23: Majors Flight Economics with Quirky Rock Originals". Billboard. December 6, 1982. p. A-NZ 8. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  36. "Canadian single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Master blaster". Music Canada. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  37. "New Zealand single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Master blaster". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  38. "British single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Master blaster". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  39. "New Releases – For Week Starting May 15, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 13, 2000. p. 21. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  40. "The 31 Best UK Garage Songs Ever". Billboard. November 22, 2016.
  41. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 23. June 3, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  42. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  43. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  44. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  45. "British single certifications – DJ Luck & MC Neat – Masterblaster 2000". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
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