The Rise of English Reggae Music

Reggae music has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that English reggae has started to take off. In this blog post, we take a look at the rise of English reggae music and what it means for the future of the genre.

Introduction

During the late 1960s, a new form of music known as reggae began to emerge in Jamaica. This style of music was a fusion of African and Caribbean rhythms and was often associated with the Rastafarian movement. Although reggae was initially popular only in Jamaica, it soon gained international appeal, particularly among young people in the UK.

During the 1970s and 1980s, a number of British-based reggae artists achieved success both at home and abroad. These included Bob Marley, who is widely considered to be the most influential reggae artist of all time, as well as Aswad, UB40, and Madness. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in reggae music, with a new generation of British-based artists such as Rudimental and Disclosure making their mark on the global music scene.

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 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 originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady. Reggae is based on a rhythmic style characterized by regular beats on off-beats, often played on guitar with a plectrum (pick) or by finger-style guitarists using complex bass runs, sometimes with playing similar rhythms on drums or keyboard instruments such as organs or electric pianos.

The History of Reggae Music

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae encompasses a wide variety of musical styles including ska, rocksteady, dub, and dancehall. Reggae is Jamaican Creole for “ragged” or “streaked”, referring to the striped appearance of a Rastafarian’s hair.

Reggae music first gained international attention in the 1970s with the release of Bob Marley’s album Catch a Fire. Marley’s popularity resulted in a renewed interest in Jamaican music and culture, and he is credited with helping to spread reggae music to new audiences around the world.

Reggae has since enjoyed continued popularity, with artists such as UB40, Maxi Priest, and Shaggy bringing the genre to new audiences in the 1980s and 1990s. In recent years, reggae has experienced something of a resurgence in popularity thanks to artists such as Sean Paul and Damian “Junior Gong” Marley.

The Rise of English Reggae Music

Though reggae music originated in Jamaica, its popularity has since spread all over the world. One of the most unlikely places that reggae has taken root is in England, where a number of artists have found success making music in this genre.

Despite its Jamaican origins, reggae has always had a global appeal. The catchy melodies and infectious rhythms are suitable for any party or celebration, and the lyrics often carry messages of love, peace, and social consciousness. These elements have resonated with people from all walks of life, resulting in the music being enjoyed by people from all corners of the globe.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in reggae music in England. A new generation of listeners is discovering the joys of this genre, and a number of English artists are finding success making their own version of reggae music.

One of the biggest names in English reggae is Lethal Bizzle. Born Maxwell Ansah in London, Bizzle found fame with his 2005 hit single “Pow (Forward)”. The song was a huge success, reaching number 11 on the UK charts and becoming an anthem for London’s black youth.

Bizzle has continued to enjoy success in the years since, with his most recent album feverishly awaited by his devoted fans. He remains one of the most popular English reggae artists, and his influence can be seen in the work of other up-and-coming artists like J Hus and Kojo Funds.

As English reggae continues to grow in popularity, it is clear that this genre is here to stay. Thanks to artists like Lethal Bizzle, more people than ever are falling in love with this unique style of music

The Future of Reggae Music

The future of reggae music looks very bright. With the rise in popularity of English reggae artists, the genre is quickly becoming mainstream. This is good news for reggae fans, as it means that we will see more artists making music that is accessible to a wider audience.

However, it is important to remember that reggae has always been a niche genre. It is unlikely that it will ever achieve the same level of popularity as other genres such as pop or rock. Nevertheless, it is still possible for reggae to become one of the most popular genres in the world.

Only time will tell what the future holds for reggae music. However, one thing is certain: the genre has never been more popular than it is right now.