This is Reggae Music: AllMusic

This is Reggae Music: AllMusic is the world’s leading reggae music website. Featuring reviews, articles, interviews, and more.

What is Reggae Music?

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 particularly distinctive feature of reggae is the rhythm accentuated by the offbeat, which is known as the skank. Reggae is usually tied with Rastafari, an Afrocentric religion which developed in Jamaica during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Reggae’s musical roots are African – specifically Trinidadian and West African music, as well as Caribbean mento. Reggae has evolved from these roots, absorbing elements from other genres such as rocksteady and ska to create its own unique sound. The earliest reggae recordings were made in the late 1960s, but it was not until 1974 that the genre began to achieve widespread popularity with Bob Marley’s album Rastaman Vibration.

Reggae has been a hugely influential genre, with its distinctive rhythmic style finding its way into many other genres such as hip hop, dancehall and dubstep. The genre has also been a major force in spreading Jamaican culture around the world, with its distinctive fashion, language and lifestyle becoming adopted by people from all walks of life.

The Origins of Reggae Music

According to most sources, Reggae music started in the late 1960s in Jamaica. It is said to be a combination of Ska, Rocksteady and Caribbean Mento. Reggae became very popular in the 1970s with artists like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs. In the 1980s, dancehall became the most popular form of Reggae music. Artists like Yellowman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man dominated this era.

The Development of Reggae Music

The development of reggae music can be traced back to the late 1960s in Jamaica. At that time, there was a growing movement away from the ska and rocksteady sounds that had dominated the island’s music scene up to that point. The new style of music that emerged was influenced by a number of factors, including American R&B and soul, as well as the indigenous folk music of Jamaica.

Reggae music quickly gained popularity both in Jamaica and abroad, with a number of artists achieving international success. One of the most successful and influential reggae musicians was Bob Marley, who helped to bring the genre to a wider audience with his distinctive voice and songs about social issues.

Reggae has continued to evolve over the years, with new subgenres emerging such as dancehall and dub. Today, the music is enjoyed by people all over the world and is recognized as one of Jamaica’s most important cultural exports.

The Popularity of Reggae Music

Reggae music has long been popular in Jamaica, and it has gained a global following in recent years. Reggae is a type of music that is characterized by its use of Jamaican Patois, a dialect of English that is spoken in Jamaica. The music has its origins in the ska and rocksteady genres that were popular in the 1960s. Reggae typically features a strong rhythm section, guitars, and horns. The lyrics often deal with social issues, such as poverty, inequality, and racism.

Reggae has been influential to many other genres of music, including hip hop, reggaeton, and dancehall. The popularity of reggae music has led to the rise of several famous reggae artists, such as Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, and Burning Spear. Reggae festivals are held annually in Jamaica and around the world, attracting thousands of fans.

The Influence of Reggae Music

Reggae music has been a major force in world music for over half a century, and its popularity continues to grow. The genre has its roots in Jamaica, and is often associated with the Rastafari movement, which espouses Afrocentricity and Pan-Africanism. Reggae music is also closely linked to the religion of Christianity, particularly in its slower, more meditative form known as dub.

Reggae music has had a significant influence on many other genres of music, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and even country. Reggae artists have been able to cross over into the mainstream without losing their Jamaican identity or sacrificing their musical integrity. Some of the most popular reggae artists include Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Yellowman.