1960 Reggae Music in the UK

Reggae music arrived in the UK in the 1960s, with the first wave of Jamaican immigrants, and had a significant impact on the development of British music.

What is Reggae?

Reggae is a music 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 and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that was strongly influenced by traditional mento as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues, especially the New Orleans R&B practiced by Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.

Origins in Jamaica

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “streggae”, which was used to describe sidx (poorly dressed) people in Kingston, Jamaica. Reggae music is characterized by a strong rhythm section, bass guitar and drums, as well as a piano or keyboard. The most prevalent reggae instruments are the drums, which are typically played with a “one drop” or “rockers” drumming style.

Reggae music became popular in the UK in the 1970s, with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Desmond Dekker, and Jimmy Cliff becoming household names. The popularity of reggae in the UK was helped by the rise of sound systems, which were mobile clubs that played Jamaican records.

Reggae has been influenced by many other genres of music, including rocksteady, ska, dub, soul, and hip hop. In turn, reggae has had a significant influence on many other genres of music, including punk rock and jungle.

The Spread of Reggae

Reggae music first gained popularity in the 1960s in the UK, when musicians such as Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff began to release hits. The music quickly spread to other parts of the world, particularly Jamaica, where it became the dominant musical style. Today, reggae is enjoyed by people all over the globe and is one of the most popular genres of music.

Reggae in the UK

Reggae music has its origins in Jamaica, and it soon spread to other countries in the Caribbean. Reggae music in the UK started to become popular in the early 1960s, with artists such as Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker. Reggae in the UK has often been associated with the mod and skinhead subcultures.

The First Wave of Reggae in the UK

The first wave of reggae in the United Kingdom began in the late 1960s, when Jamaican immigrants working in the country’s industrial cities began to form sound systems to play the music they loved. As more people from Jamaica and other Caribbean countries arrived in the UK, they brought with them a growing love for reggae music.

Reggae quickly found a place in the hearts of British youth, who were drawn to its message of peace, love, and unity. By the early 1970s, reggae was being played on British radio and television, and some of the genre’s biggest stars, such as Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, were beginning to find success in the UK charts.

The popularity of reggae continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with artists such as Aswad and UB40 finding huge success both at home and abroad. In 1988, London hosted its first ever Reggae Sunsplash festival, which was attended by over 60,000 people.

Today, reggae is as popular as ever in the UK, with a new generation of artists keeping the genre fresh and exciting. From grime MCs like Stormzy to singer-songwriters like Sam Smith, there are plenty of British stars making waves in the world of reggae.

The Second Wave of Reggae in the UK

The second wave of reggae in the UK attracted a much wider audience than the first wave. The sound was more polished and the lyrics were more conscious. The new wave of reggae also had crossover appeal, which helped it to reach a mainstream audience.

The most popular second wave reggae artist in the UK was Aswad. Their debut album, ‘New Chapter’, was released in 1976 and reached number eight in the UK album charts. The album featured the hit single ‘Warrior Charge’, which reached number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Other popular second wave reggae artists in the UK included Steel Pulse, UB40 and Matumbi. The new wave of reggae also saw the rise of dub music, which was pioneered by artists such as King Tubby and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

The Legacy of Reggae in the UK

Reggae music has its origins in the Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica. The genre developed in the 1960s and soon found its way to the UK, where it gained popularity among the West Indian community. Reggae music in the UK has had a significant impact on British culture, both in terms of music and fashion. Let’s take a closer look at the legacy of reggae in the UK.

The Impact of Reggae on British Music

Reggae’s influence on British music is often overlooked, but it actually played a significant role in the development of many genres in the UK. Reggae music first came to prominence in the UK in the 1960s, when artists like Desmond Dekker and The Kingston Trio became popular. These artists fascinated British audiences with their unique blend of Jamaican music and British culture.

In the 1970s, reggae began to have a more significant impact on British music. Artists like Bob Marley and The Wailers became global superstars, and their music had a profound effect on British culture. Reggae also influenced other genres of music in the UK, such as punk rock and dub.

The legacy of reggae can still be seen in British music today. Many artists, including Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, have cited reggae as an influence on their music. The genre continues to be popular in the UK, and its influence can be heard in many different types of music.

The Impact of Reggae on British Culture

In the 1960s, a new type of music emerged from Jamaica that would go on to have a profound impact on British culture. Reggae, a distinctive style that blends elements of ska, mento and rocksteady, quickly gained popularity amongst the working-class youth of Britain, particularly in inner-city areas.

The popularity of reggae was due in part to its ability to speak to the experiences of young, black Britons. The lyrics often addressed issues such as poverty, racism and inequality, which resonated with many people in communities that were experiencing those problems firsthand. The music also had a strong sense of identity and unity, which was appealing to those who felt like they didn’t belong to the mainstream society.

In the 1970s and 1980s, reggae continued to be a major force in British music, with artists like Bob Marley, Steel Pulse and Aswad achieving mainstream success. The influence of reggae can also be seen in other genres of British music, such as punk and grime. Today, reggae is an important part of British culture and continues to inspire new generations of musicians.