The Best Alternative Reggae Music

Reggae music has been around for decades and has continued to evolve. Here are some of the best alternative reggae artists that are making waves in the music industry.

What is Reggae?

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used to describe the music in 1968, and it is now used to refer to all types of Jamaican music, including ska, rocksteady, and dub. Reggae is characterized by a strong rhythm section, typically featuring drums, bass guitar, and electric guitar, and a vocals style that is often sing-songy and nasal.

The History of 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 1967 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 broader sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican danceable 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.

The Sound of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used to describe a style of music developed in Jamaica around 1968. Reggae is characterized by a heavy bass guitar sound and drumming style that is different from other Jamaican music genres such as ska and rocksteady. Reggae songs are often about social and political issues, love, and religion.

The origins of reggae can be traced to the African-based Rastafarian movement, which began in the 1930s in Jamaica. Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie I, the former emperor of Ethiopia, is the Messiah who will one day return to Africa and lead the black people of the world to freedom. Reggae music often contains references to Rastafarian beliefs, including the use of words such as “I-tion” (a Rastafarian term for Africa) and “Jah” (a shortened version of Selassie’s Ethiopian name, Ras Tafari).

Reggae fusion is a musical genre that combines elements of reggae with other genres such as hip hop, rock, pop, and R&B. Reggae fusion artists include Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Ziggy Marley, Damian Marley, Matisyahu, Bobby McFerrin, Lauryn Hill, Joss Stone, Beyoncé Knowles, and Akon.

The Best Alternative Reggae Artists

Reggae music has its roots in Jamaica and is a popular genre that is known for its catchy beats and easy-to-sing-along lyrics. The genre has expanded in recent years and there are now many different subgenres of reggae. Alternative reggae is a subgenre that is growing in popularity. It is a fusion of reggae and other genres such as rock, hip hop, and electronic.

Rebelution

Rebelution is a reggae band formed in Isla Vista, California. The band’s music is a mix of rock, reggae, and hip-hop. They have released five studio albums, two live albums, and one compilation album. Their most recent album, Peace of Mind, was released in 2013.

Rebelution was founded in 2004 by students at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The band’s members include lead singer and guitarist Rory Carey, bassist Marley D. Williams, keyboardist Wesley Finley, drummer Khris Royal, and percussionist/vocalist Daniel “Re levers”LCD Soundsystem ells-Bissett.

The band’s debut album, Courage to Grow, was released in 2007. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and #134 on the Billboard 200. The album’s single “Safe and Sound” peaked at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Songs chart and #8 on the iTunes Reggae Songs chart. The album’s second single “Bright Side of Life” peaked at #2 on the iTunes Reggae Songs chart.

The band’s second album, Bright Side of Life, was released in 2009. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and #52 on the Billboard 200. The album’s single “Outta Control” peaked at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Songs chart; its music video was nominated for Best Video at the 2011 Grammy Awards. The album’s second single “Sky Is the Limit” peaked at #3 on both the Billboard Reggae Songs chart and the iTunes Reggae Songs chart; its music video won an award for Best Cinematography at the 2010 San Diego Film Festival.

The band’s third album, Peace of Mind, was released in 2013. It debuted at #1 on both the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and the iTunes Reggae Albums chart; it also debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200--making it their highest-charting album to date. The album’s first single “Peace of Mind” peaked at #1 on both the iTunes Reggae Songs chart and Spotify Viral 50 US; its music video won an award for Best Editing at the 2013 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

Iration

Iration is a reggae band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2004. The band’s sound has been variously described as alternative rock, reggae, and Sublime-style punk rock. Iration’s music is influenced by artists such as Bob Marley and The Wailers, Sublime, and Jack Johnson. The band has released seven studio albums: No Time for Rest (2007), Time Bomb (2009), Automatic (2011), Hotting Up (2015), Double Up (2017), Coastin’ (2019)

Iration was founded in 2004 by lead singer and guitarist Micah Pueschel, bassist Cayson Peterson, drummer Adam Taylor, and keyboardist/guitarist Kai Rediske. The band members were all originally from the small town of Hawaii but met while attending college in Santa Barbara. Iration’s first album, No Time for Rest was self-produced and released in 2007. The album was recorded in Pueschel’s living room over the course of six months.

In 2008, Iration signed with Law Records and released their second album, Time Bomb. The album peaked at #8 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and features the singles “Time Bomb” and “Back Around”.

Iration’s third album, Automatic was released in 2011 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The album features the singles “Automatic” and “Get Along”.

In 2013, Iration embarked on their first headlining tour of the United States with support from special guests Rebelution, Matisyahu, SOJA, Collie Buddz, Zion I Kings Point Dub Club.

The band’s fourth studio album Hotting Up was released on June 30th 2015. It topped Billboard Reggae Albums chart upon release. Along with getting airplay on Maui’s radio station 94.7 FM Mana’o Radio who play independent artists almost exclusively it also spent time at number 1 on iTunes Reggae charts in both United States and Canada

The Green

The Green is a reggae band from Hawaii that has been making waves in the music scene since their debut album in 2008. The band has a unique sound that blends elements of reggae, rock, and hip-hop, and their lyrics often deal with social and political issues. The Green has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and they have performed at some of the world’s biggest music festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo.

SOJA

Formed in 1997, SOJA is a Grammy-nominated reggae band based in Arlington, Virginia. With seven studio albums and two live albums, SOJA has been one of the most popular reggae bands of the past two decades.

SOJA’s music is heavily influenced by roots reggae, but the band also incorporates elements of rock, funk, hip-hop, and R&B into their sound. This makes for a unique and engaging listening experience that has earned the band a large and loyal following.

While SOJA is not strictly an alternative reggae band, their sound is certainly unique enough to warrant inclusion on this list. If you’re looking for something different from the usual reggae fare, SOJA is definitely worth checking out.

Stick Figure

Stick Figure is an American reggae and dub band based in Southern California. The group has released seven studio albums and one live album. Band founder and lead singer Scott Woodruff is the only permanent member of the band, with the other members being rotating musicians who tour with the band.

Stick Figure’s music is often categorized as roots reggae, with elements of dub, hip hop, and rock. The band’s lyrics are mostly positive and uplifting, focusing on themes such as love, nature, peace, and positivity. Stick Figure’s music has been featured on numerous television shows and commercials, including NBC’s Friday Night Lights, ABC’s Modern Family, FOX’s The Simpsons, CBS’ Survivor, and HBO’s Silicon Valley.

The Future of Reggae

There is no doubt that Reggae music has had a major influence on popular culture for decades. The genre has been able to stay relevant despite the many changes in the music industry. Reggae music is known for its catchy beats, positive lyrics, and overall feel-good vibes. However, the genre has been declining in recent years.

The Rise of Reggae in America

Reggae music has been steadily rising in popularity in the United States over the past few years. Thanks to hits from artists like Ky-Mani Marley, Matisyahu, and Ziggy Marley, more and more people are exposed to the genre and are falling in love with its unique sound.

But what does the future hold for reggae in America? Will it continue to grow in popularity, or will it eventually fizzle out?

Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: there is a lot of potential for reggae to become a major force in the American music scene. With its combination of catchy melodies, soulful vocals, and positive messages, reggae has all of the ingredients necessary to become a mainstream success.

If reggae can continue to gain traction with American audiences, we could see a new wave of reggae artists breaking through in the years to come. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open – the future of reggae is looking brighter than ever!

The Popularity of Reggae Festivals

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of reggae festivals around the world. These events are typically organized by music lovers and lovers of the Jamaican culture. Reggae festivals usually take place over a weekend and feature a lineup of both local and international reggae artists. Attendees can expect to hear a wide variety of reggae music, as well as enjoy Jamaican food and drink.

Reggae festivals have become increasingly popular in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. In 2018, there were over 100 reggae festivals taking place around the world. The largest reggae festival is currently held in Jamaica, with an estimated attendance of over 200,000 people. With the popularity of these events on the rise, it is likely that we will see even more reggae festivals in the years to come.

The Growth of Reggae in Europe

Reggae restarted its growth in Europe in the early 2000s. A new generation of British and Irish reggae artists began to emerge, including So Solid Crew, Aswad, Dennis Brown, Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest, UB40, and John Holt. The most prominent reggae festival in Europe is Rototom Sunsplash, which is held annually in Spain. Reggae music has been popular in Germany since the 1980s. The German label GG’s Records specializes in releasing German and international reggae albums.