Iba Mahr
Artist. Revival
- Active
- 2008-present
- Sunrise
- c. 1987, St. Catherine, Jamaica
- Also known as
- Mario Greaves
Iba Mahr is a roots singer from Linstead whose "Diamond Sox" (2014), with its remix featuring Tarrus Riley, was one of the best-loved songs of the reggae revival. Erik Magni calls him a singer "known for his potent vibrato."
Born Mario Greaves, he grew up with his grandparents in Cheesefield, St. Catherine, where his grandfather ran a sound called Majestic, and studied computing and management at the University of Technology. He meant at first to write songs for others. Max Romeo gave him his first session, and his debut, "Had It and Lost It" (2008), rode Romeo's "I Chase the Devil" riddim; Fatis Burrell's Xterminator issued his second single, "Where You Are." "Will I Wait in Vain" (2011) was his breakthrough.
"Diamond Sox," produced by the drum-and-bass duo Notis, was inspired by the dances his father kept in Linstead, and VP issued an album of the same name in 2015. He has also worked with Winta James and the band Dubtonic Kru. After a quiet spell he returned in 2024 with "General," a tribute to Bob Marley, Mortimer Planno and Haile Selassie.
Last updated November 5, 2026
Connections
- Fatis Burrell (producer)
- Max Romeo (producer)
- Winta James (producer)
- Tarrus Riley (collaborator)
Notes
- Howard Campbell, "Iba Mahr Makes Return with 'General,'" Jamaica Observer, February 9, 2024, https://jamaicaobserver.com/2024/02/09/iba-mahr-makes-return-general.
- Erik Magni, "Iba Mahr: Diamond Sox," United Reggae, March 2, 2016, https://unitedreggae.com/articles/n2064/030216/iba-mahr-diamond-sox.
- Angus Taylor, "Interview: Iba Mahr," United Reggae, October 23, 2014, https://unitedreggae.com/articles/n1639/102314/interview-iba-mahr. Campbell, "Iba Mahr Makes Return."
- Campbell, "Iba Mahr Makes Return." Taylor, "Interview: Iba Mahr."
