[2] Isaacs recorded for many of Jamaica's top producers during the 1970s, including Winston "Niney" Holness, Gussie Clarke ("My Time"), Lloyd Campbell ("Slavemaster"), Glen Brown ("One One Coco"), Harry Mudie, Roy Cousins, Sydney Crooks and Lee "Scratch" Perry ("Mr.

[6] By the late-1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, challenged only by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley.

[10][12] Isaacs claimed that he had the weapons only for protection, but it emerged that this was his 27th arrest and that he had become involved in drug dealing and was addicted to crack cocaine.

[10] Yellowman wrote the song "Gregory Free" also celebrating Isaacs's release, and was later featured on the Young, Gifted and Yellow album.

When his contract with Island ended, Isaacs returned in 1984 with the "Kool Ruler Come Again" single, and began a period of prolific recording, working with producers including Prince Jammy, Hugh "Redman" James, Bobby Digital, Tad Dawkins and Steely & Clevie, maintaining a consistent standard despite the volume of work produced.

They began with Isaacs's 1985 album Private Beach Party, and had a hit with "Rumours" in 1988, which was followed by further popular singles including "Mind Yu Dis", "Rough Neck", "Too Good To Be True" and "Report to Me".

[10] He dueted with Beres Hammond on the 1993 Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced "One Good Turn", Burrell also producing Isaacs's 1994 album Midnight Confidential.

"[12] He performed at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inauguration at Jamaica, and in 2007 he collaborated with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos/Rafael Lechowski album Donde Duele Inspira.

[14] A memorial service was held on 20 November at Kingston's National Indoor Sports Centre, including a musical tribute from artists including Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Shaggy, Judy Mowatt, Mavado, the Tamlins and Bongo Herman, before his remains were interred at the Dovecot Cemetery.

[16] A year later a free concert was staged featuring artists such as U-Roy, Big Youth, and the Mighty Diamonds, to raise funds for two schools.

[17] In July 2015, a mural[18] by Junior Moore depicting Isaacs was unveiled at 125 Orange Street, the former site of his Cash and Carry shop and now the Leggo Recording Studios.

[8] In 2016, the Jamaican government announced that it would posthumously award Isaacs the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in recognition of his contribution to the country's music.