Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
Main navigation menu
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Music news
  • Features
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Dear Prudence
  • Clapton x Kossoff
  • Music news
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Drummers

Drummer's World Cup: the best Reggae, Ska and Funk drummers of all time

News
By Chris Burke
Published 3 December 2012

The results are in for the fifth group of the first round

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Clyde Stubblefield

Clyde Stubblefield

Perhaps James Brown's most famous drummer, and the man responsible for the 'Funky Drummer' beat, Clyde made a valiant claim for top funk drummer in this broad-based group that also included reggae and ska drummers.

But can he progress to the last 16 on the 'next most votes' rule? We'll know when all the results are in!

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Sly Dunbar

Sly Dunbar

One half of one of the most famous rhythm sections of all time, Sly & Robbie, Sly Dunbar beat other reggae greats such as Carlton Barret and Winston Grennan to tie at third with funk master Clyde Stubblefield.

Just missing out on an automatic progression to the last 16, it's down to how many votes are required for a wildcard pass to the next round.

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Chad Smith

Chad Smith

The Red Hot Chili Pepper's man's mastery of funk and rock beats – and combining the two with the Californian alt-rock punk-funkers – made sure Chad was a comfortable second in the group.

He progresses to the next round with ease.

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Stewart Copeland

Stewart Copeland

There was no real contest at the top of the group, with Stewart Copeland an easy winner in the end thanks to his mastery of the one-drop beat combined with awesome rock and pop chops.

Always a popular drummer, Stewart should be one of the favourites to do well in the next stage of the tournament.

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
CATEGORIES
Drums
Chris Burke
Read more
Gavin Harrison with King Crimson in 2019
Artists “I love playing it. But it’s tough”: Gavin Harrison on the King Crimson classic that’s incredibly difficult to play
 
 
Travis Barker and Billy Corgan
Drummers Billy Corgan praises Travis Barker as the "most Influential" drummer of the last 30 years
 
 
John Tempesta of The Cult performs live onstage at Gröna Lund on June 16, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden
Drummers The Cult's drummer of 20 years has left the band
 
 
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performs with Jack White
Singers & Songwriters Jack White, Pink, Blondie and ZZ Top all nominated for 2027 Songwriters Hall Of Fame
 
 
Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival
Drummers Frank Beard, ZZ Top drummer, dies aged 77
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 14:  Drummer Chris Slade of AC/DC performs during the AC/DC Rock Or Bust Tour at Madison Square Garden on September 14, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Drummers “I've had a good innings”: Ex AC/DC drummer Chris Slade announces that he’s retiring
 
 
Latest in Drummers
Nicko McBrain performs at Rock n Roll Ribs on December 17, 2011 in Coral Springs, Florida
Drummers “Why compound it with two?”: Nicko McBrain reflects on why thought using a double bass drum was “un-drummer-ish”
 
 
Phil Collins, drummer and singer with British rock band Genesis, takes a break behind his drum kit, while rehearsing at the Rainbow Theatre, London, UK, January 1977
Drummers "If you don’t know the rules, you don’t know you’re breaking them”: Phil Collins on his self-taught style
 
 
John Tempesta of The Cult performs live onstage at Gröna Lund on June 16, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden
Drummers The Cult's drummer of 20 years has left the band
 
 
Anika Nilles drum collection
Drummers “To add energy and bring the power": Anika Nilles launches her new artist collection with thicker drumsticks
 
 
Brian Johnson from ACDC performs with Dave Grohl (R) of the Foo Fighters during the taping of the Vax Live fundraising concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on May 2, 2021
Guitarists “Sobbing like a baby”: Dave Grohl reveals how jamming with AC/DC reduced him to a blubbing wreck
 
 
Queens of the Stone Age play the Tonight Show in 2026.
Artists Troy Van Leeuwen and Jon Theodore on learning to love mistakes and the making of QOTSA’s Perfecth album
 
 
Latest in News
Audient
Tech "This isn't a spec refresh – it's a completely new technology platform": Audient launches next generation of iD audio interfaces with onboard DSP and built-in monitor correction
 
 
Prince bass playing
Artists Prince shows off his slap bass playing skills in previously unreleased live footage
 
 
Anti Social Camp UK
Music Industry “The only festival where the industry comes to creatives”: Anti Social Camp is back in London next week
 
 
Sundragon Jimmy Page Dragonette
Artists Jimmy Page and Sundragon unveil the Dragonette – a $9,000 tube amp to nail his Led Zeppelin tone
 
 
Custom plugins on the Akai MPC
Tech You can now vibe code plugins for your MPC with the help of Akai’s official SDK
 
 
Robbie Bennett
Artists The War on Drugs’ Robbie Bennett confesses he’s “not very scholarly” when it comes to classic albums
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...