The Funky Reggae Music You Need in Your Life

A reggae blog that discusses the latest in reggae music, with a focus on new and upcoming artists.

The Different Types of Reggae Music

Reggae music is a type of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The music is a mix of African, Jamaican, and Caribbean rhythms. Reggae music is usually slower than other types of music, and the lyrics are often about love, peace, and social issues.

Ska

Ska is a genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1950s and is considered the predecessor to reggae. Ska is characterized by its fast tempo, offbeat rhythms and guitars. The original ska sound was influenced by American jazz and rhythm and blues, as well as Jamaican mento music.

The first wave of ska was led by artists such as Prince Buster and The Skatalites. In the 1970s, ska experienced a resurgence in popularity, led by bands such as Madness and The Specials. Ska has since been fused with other genres, such as punk rock, to create new subgenres like ska-punk.

Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a direct predecessor of reggae and one of the key figures in developing the classic sound was producer Duke Reid. The Best of Rocksteady collects 22 of Reid’s biggest hits for Trojan Records. The songs here served as the foundation for reggae, with their loping, easy grooves, conscious lyrics, and distinctive sound. The influence of these tracks — especially “Tougher Than Tough,” “Shocks of Mighty,” and Alton Ellis’ wonderful “I’m Still in Love With You” — can be heard in the work of almost every major reggae artist, making this an essential collection for anyone interested in understanding where reggae came from.

Reggae

Reggae is a style of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae covers a wide range of musical styles including ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall. Reggae is often characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and rubbery bass lines. The style developed from early Jamaican ska and rocksteady music and was strongly influenced by American R&B and jazz.

Ska is the earliest form of Jamaican popular music and was often played by military bands. Ska Island records were big hits in Britain in the 1960s, and this helped to spread the new genre around the world. Ska is characterized by its up-tempo beats and horns playing the offbeat rhythms.

Rocksteady developed from ska in the late 1960s and was characterized by its slower tempo and smoother sound. The term rocksteady comes from a 1967 Alton Ellis song of the same name. Rocksteady helped to transition Jamaica from ska to reggae.

Dub is a subgenre of reggae that was pioneered in the 1970s by producers such as King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Dub music uses studio techniques such as echo and delay to create an atmospheric soundscape. Dubtracks often have stripped-down instrumentation, with the drums and bass being particularly prominent.

Dancehall is a style of reggae that developed in Jamaica in the late 1970s. Dancehall is characterized by its fast tempo, explicit lyrics, and fresh new sounds. Artists such as Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, and Beenie Man helped to bring dancehall to an international audience in the 1990s with their unique blend of reggae, hip hop, R&B, and electronic dance music.

The Origins of Reggae Music

Reggae music originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The style is a combination of African and Caribbean music. The music was originally created as a way to express the struggles of the Jamaican people. Reggae music has since evolved and now includes a wide variety of subgenres.

Jamaica

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 that developed from ska and rocksteady, and which was characterized by a strong rhythm section, horns, and Piano.

Reggae became popular in the 1970s with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and the Maytals. Reggae is now an international music genre with a global following.

The Rastafari Movement

The Rastafari movement began in the 1930s in Jamaica. It was started by a man named Marcus Garvey, who preached about the need for black people to return to Africa, the homeland of their ancestors. His message was taken up by a small group of people, who became known as Rastafarians.

Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, is the incarnation of God. They also believe that black people are the true chosen people of God, and that white people are devils. Because of these beliefs, Rastafarians often identify strongly with Africa and its culture.

Reggae music is strongly influenced by Rastafarianism. Many reggae songs contain references to Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, and other Rastafarian beliefs. The lyrics of reggae songs often deal with social issues such as poverty, racism, and injustice.

Reggae music became popular in the 1970s, thanks in large part to Bob Marley, a Jamaican singer who was a passionate Rastafarian. Marley’s music helped spread the Rastafarian message to people all over the world.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is one of the most famous and well-known Reggae musicians of all time. He was born in Jamaica in 1945 and rose to prominence in the 1970s with his band, The Wailers. His music is a mix of Reggae, Ska, and Rocksteady, and he is credited with helping to popularize Reggae music around the world. Marley’s most famous songs include “No Woman, No Cry,” “One Love,” and “Three Little Birds.” He died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

The Popularity of Reggae Music

Reggae music has been around for decades and has its origins in Jamaica. The genre is known for its characteristic 4/4 offbeat rhythm and its focus on the bass and drums. Reggae music has been gaining in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to its easy, relaxed sound.

Reggae Festivals

Reggae music has become more popular in recent years, and with that popularity has come an uptick in the number of reggae festivals being held around the world. Reggae festivals offer a great opportunity to see live reggae music and meet other fans of the genre.

There are several large, well-known reggae festivals, such as Reggae on the River in California and Rototom Sunsplash in Spain. But there are also many smaller festivals, such as the Irie Jamboree in Jamaica and Moondance Jammin Country Fest in Wisconsin.

No matter where you are, there’s likely to be a reggae festival happening nearby at some point during the year. So get out there and enjoy some great reggae music!

Reggae in the Media

Reggae has been slowly creeping into the American mainstream for years now. By and large, it’s been thanks to the efforts of Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, and rapper Matisyahu. A practicing Hasidic Jew, Matisyahu’s unlikely combination of religious devotion and reggae stardom has helped bring the sounds of Jamaica to a whole new audience.

But Matisyahu is far from the only artist bringing reggae to the masses. In recent years, reggae has begun popping up in movies, TV shows, and commercials. The most famous example is probably the 2012 film Django Unchained, which featured a Caribbean-flavored remix of the classic western musical theme “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.”

Reggae’s newfound popularity has even infiltrated the world of video games. The popular first-person shooter series Call of Duty features a level set in Kingston, Jamaica that features an original reggae track performed by Jamaican artist Konshens.

And it’s not just American audiences who are falling in love with reggae. The genre has experienced a resurgence in its homeland of Jamaica in recent years, thanks in part to the popularity of dancehall music (a cousin of reggae that emphasizes electronic rhythms). Reggae legend Bob Marley is now more popular than ever before, with his face appearing on everything from t-shirts to bongs.

So whether you’re watching a movie, playing a video game, or just hanging out at your local bar, there’s a good chance you’ll be hearing some reggae soon. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

The Future of Reggae Music

Funky reggae music is a subgenre of reggae that was pioneered in the 1970s by artists like Augustus Pablo, Dickie Walters, and Lloyd Parks. The sound is distinguished by its use of funk and soul samples, as well as by its focus on the percussion and bassline. Funky reggae music is a truly unique and special sound that you need in your life.

The Rise of Dancehall

In the early 1970s, a new style of reggae music called dancehall began to emerge in Jamaica. Dancehall was a faster, more energetic form of reggae that was often laced with explicit lyrics. This new style quickly became popular with Jamaican youth and began to spread throughout the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

Today, dancehall is one of the most popular genres of reggae music and is enjoyed by fans all over the globe. While some purists may not consider it true reggae, there is no doubt that dancehall has had a major impact on the evolution of this genre.

The Global Appeal of Reggae

Reggae music has long been a popular genre in Jamaica, but its appeal is now global. Thanks to the internet and social media, reggae artists are able to reach a wider audience than ever before.

Reggae music is often seen as being optimistic and positive, with a focus on peace, love, and unity. This is one of the reasons why the genre has been so popular with young people around the world. Reggae artists often sing about important social issues, which can be empowering for listeners.

There are many different subgenres of reggae, such as dub, ska, and rocksteady. Each subgenre has its own unique sound and style.

The future of reggae music looks bright. With its positive messages and infectious beats, reggae is sure to continue winning over fans from all corners of the globe.