Dawn Penn (born January 11, 1952) is a Jamaican reggae singer. A singing career of over 55 years in the music industry has been marked by a journey that includes an initial stint in the rocksteady era in the late 1960s and a triumphant return to the spotlight in the 1990s. During the late 1960s, Penn recorded several songs, including the 1968 notable rocksteady classic “You Don’t Love Me,” produced by Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. The original recording was with Jackie Mittoo, Tommy McCook and the Skatalites the prior year. She also worked with other producers like Bunny Lee and recorded songs such as “Why Did You Lie?” and “Broke My Heart.” Her early recordings showcased her talent and versatility, covering songs like “To Sir with Love” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Penn also recorded for singer/producer Prince Buster early in her career with songs like “Long Day, Short Night”, “Blue Yes Blue” and “Here’s the Key”.  Despite her early success, Penn left the music industry around 1970 and moved overseas. However, she felt uncomfortable and her returned to Jamaica and music in 1987.

Her resurgence began in 1992 when she performed “You Don’t Love Me” at a Studio One anniversary show, leading to the re-recording of the song for the tribute album “Steely & Clevie Play Studio One Vintage” done for Heartbeat Records. The single, released as “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No),” became a global hit in 1994, reaching the top of the charts in Jamaica, the U.S., and Europe.

Following the success of “You Don’t Love Me,” Penn released her album “No, No, No” on Big Beat Records in 1994 for Atlantic. The song’s popularity extended beyond her own performances, with various artists such as Ghostface Killah, Stephen & Damian Marley, Kano and Eve sampling and covering it in their own work. Penn continued to perform and make appearances in the following years, participating in events like the Drum in Birmingham and the Uppsala Reggae Festival (Sweden) in 2006. She also released a music video for the song “City Life” in 2011. In subsequent years, Penn remained active in the music scene, performing at notable events such as the BET Awards in 2013 with Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Jabba . The iconic singer kept fans on their feet by collaborating with The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra on the single “Bangarang” in 2014; she was also featured in the video.

Her influence in the industry endured, as demonstrated by her collaboration with De La Soul on the track “Crocadillaz” for Gorillaz’s 2023 studio album “Cracker Island.” This collaboration underscores the lasting impact of Dawn Penn’s reggae legacy and her continued relevance in contemporary music. She is still performing and thrilling her fans worldwide.