How Outside Influences Have Shaped Reggae Music

How Outside Influences Have Shaped Reggae Music

Reggae music has been shaped by a number of outside influences over the years. From its roots in Jamaican folk music to its incorporation of elements from other genres, reggae has always been a genre that has been open to outside influences. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the most important outside influences on reggae music.

The Birth of Reggae

Reggae is a musical genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae”, effectively naming the genre. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.

The influence of Rastafarianism

Rastafarianism is a religion that developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, and its members are known as Rastafarians, Rastas, or Ras Tafarians. The religion’s central beliefs are based on a interpretation of the Bible, and they are centred around the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, who is seen as a reincarnation of God. Rastafarians also believe in the eventual return of Selassie to Earth, and they maintain that black people are the rightful rulers of the world. This belief system has had a significant impact on reggae music, as many Rastafarian musicians have used their music to spread their religious beliefs.

The influence of Jamaican culture

Reggae music has been deeply influenced by the Jamaican culture from which it arose. The island’s Afro-Jamaican population has contributed greatly to the development of the genre, infusing it with elements of their own musical traditions. Reggae also draws influences from other genres such as ska, rocksteady, and calypso.

Jamaican culture is renowned for its relaxed and easygoing attitude, which is reflected in the laid-back sound of reggae. The music is often based around themes of peace, love, and unity, as well as socio-political issues such as poverty and racism. Reggae has been used as a tool for social commentary since its inception, and continues to be a powerful force for change today.

The Evolution of Reggae

Reggae music has long been a staple in the Jamaican culture. The genre has its roots in the island’s folk music traditions, but it was also influenced by the sounds of ska, rocksteady, and R&B that were coming out of the United States in the 1960s. Reggae has since gone on to become one of the most popular and influential genres in the world, and its sound has been adopted by artists from all genres.

The influence of American music

Reggae music has been subject to a great deal of outside influence throughout its history, particularly from American music. This is most evident in the early history of the genre, when reggae was strongly influenced by ska, rocksteady, and R&B. American R&B in particular had a very strong influence on the development of reggae, with artists such as James Brown and Otis Redding being particularly influential.

As reggae developed in the 1970s, it began to incorporate more elements of other genres, such as dub and disco. This process was helped by the fact that many Jamaican artists had begun to migrate to the United States, where they were exposed to a wider range of music. This migration also meant that reggae began to be heard by a wider audience, which helped it to gain popularity outside of Jamaica.

In the 1980s and 1990s, reggae experienced something of a renaissance thanks to the popularity of artists such as Bob Marley and Ziggy Marley. Marley’s time living in Miami also exposed him to a number of different genres, including hip hop and rap, which he would later incorporate into his own musical style. This new wave of reggae was also popularized by films such as The Harder They Come and Cool Runnings, which helped to bring the genre to a wider audience.

The influence of British music

While it would be impossible to pinpoint a single source of influence on the evolution of reggae music, the impact of British music is undeniable. From the early days of ska and rocksteady, British bands and artists have been hugely popular in Jamaica, and their sound has had a significant impact on the development of Jamaican music.

The Beatles, in particular, were a huge influence on the early days of reggae. Ska and rocksteady sounds often incorporated elements of Beatles songs, and many Jamaican musicians cite the Fab Four as a major influence on their work. The popularity of British bands continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with groups like The Clash and The Police finding success in Jamaica as well as in their native England.

Today, reggae music is respected and enjoyed all over the world, thanks in part to its ability to cross borders and cultures. But it’s important to remember that the sound we all know and love today would not be what it is without the influence of Britain’s biggest bands.

The Globalization of Reggae

Reggae music has been shaped by many outside influences throughout the years. The most significant of these influences has been globalization. With the rise of the internet and social media, the reach of reggae music has increased exponentially. This has led to the popularity of reggae music growing in countries all over the world.

The influence of the Internet

The internet has played a major role in the globalization of reggae music. With the click of a mouse, people from all over the world can now access reggae music from anywhere in the world. This has led to a increase in the popularity of reggae music, as well as a decrease in the geographical barriers that previously prevented people from accessing this type of music.

The internet has also allowed for a more international exchange of ideas and influences between reggae artists and fans. For example, when Jamaican artist Sean Paul released his hit single “Temperature” in 2006, it quickly became popular among reggae fans in Europe and North America. This exposure to Sean Paul’s music would likely not have been possible without the internet.

The globalization of reggae music has also been facilitated by the rise of social media. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube have made it easier than ever for reggae artists to reach a global audience. And as more and more people get exposed to reggae music through social media, the popularity of this genre is only likely to continue to grow.

The influence of international artists

While the influence of international artists on reggae may not be immediately obvious, it is undeniable that these artists have helped to shape the sound and style of the music. One of the most significant ways in which international artists have influenced reggae is through their use of different instruments. For example, the guitar-based sound of rock music has been adopted by reggae artists such as Bob Marley and Ziggy Marley. Similarly, the use of drum machines and synthesizers has allowed reggae to incorporate elements of electronic dance music.

In addition to adopting new instrumentation, international artists have also introduced new genres to the reggae world. Hip hop, for instance, has been blended with reggae to create a new subgenre known as rapso. This fusion of styles was popularized by artists such as Perfect Giddimani and Mighty Sparrow in Trinidad and Tobago. Reggae has also been fused with other genres such as R&B (Shaggy), pop (Sean Paul), and even metal (Sepultura).

Finally, international artist collaborations have helped to broaden the reach of reggae music. One notable example is the song “Stir It Up”, which was recorded by Bob Marley with American singer Patti LaBelle. This collaboration helped to introduce Marley’s music to a whole new audience outside of Jamaica.