Tarrus Riley’s UK Chart Story: Over 10 Years, Seven Entries and One Powerful Legacy

Tarrus Riley has been making sweet reggae music for over a decade, but his UK chart history proves that the Jamaican singer knows a thing or two about staying power.

According to Official Charts, Riley’s UK chart appearances stretch from June 2015 and he last entered a UK Official chart last year.

The reggae crooner struck gold in 2015 when he joined forces with Major Lazer and British pop star Ellie Goulding for “Powerful.” The collaboration certainly lived up to its name, peaking at No. 2 on the UK Official Independent Singles Chart and spending an impressive 28 weeks on the ranking.

Ellie Goulding, Tarrus Riley

But the song wasn’t finished flexing its muscles.

“Powerful” also climbed to No. 38 on both the Official Singles Sales Chart and Official Singles Downloads Chart, spending five weeks on each. It reached No. 48 on the Official Singles Chart Update, which tracks midweek positions, and No. 88 on the Official Streaming Chart.

Not bad for a Jamaican voice holding its own alongside international pop and electronic music heavyweights.

Fast-forward to February 13, 2025, and Riley was back in the UK chart conversation — this time with a song that needed no introduction to reggae lovers.

“She’s Royal,” his timeless tribute to women, made appearances at No. 99 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart and No. 100 on the Official Singles Sales Chart, spending one week on each.

The song may have been around for years, but clearly, some queens never surrender their crowns.

While “Powerful” delivered Riley’s biggest chart moment, “She’s Royal” provided a reminder that a reggae classic can still find its way into the sales rankings long after its original release.

Still, seven chart entries, five chart categories, a No. 2 peak and a 28-week run are hardly numbers to brush aside.

Over on the British Phonographic Indistry, She’s Royal is certified Silver for streams and sales surpassing 200,000 units.

Now that’s what you call staying in tune with the times.

Tarrus Riley’s latest song Red Flags is out now on YouTube.