The U.N. of Musical Genres

By Rebecca Winters

Willie Nelson Rebel Roots: Abbott, Texas Reggae Sound: On his July release, Countryman, Nelson covers Jimmy Cliff with twang. Island Cred: Says cannabis should be legal and shared on the tour bus.

Matisyahu Rebel Roots: White Plains, N.Y. Reggae Sound: The Hasidic hipster who hails Bob Marley in Yiddish has two fall albums. Island Cred: Some Rastafarians view themselves as the original Jews.

Daddy Yankee Rebel Roots: San Juan, Puerto Rico Reggae Sound: His Gasolina popularized reggaeton, a reggae-derived, Latin hip-hop. Island Cred: Last we looked, Puerto Rico was an island too.

Sinead O'Connor Rebel Roots: Dublin, Ireland Reggae Sound: Her next album, Throw Down Your Arms, features Jamaican musicians and Marley songs. Island Cred: She embraces the Rastafarian faith--and the notion of hair as a statement.