Is Reggae World Music?

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word reef, which refers to the slow, laid-back rhythm of the music. Reggae is often characterized by its 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and relaxed vocals.

What is world music?

World music is a musical category encompassing many different styles of music from around the globe. It includes traditional folk music, art music, pop music, and dance music. The term was first used in the 1930s by ethnomusicologist Robert E. Brown to describe traditional folk musics of non-Western cultures.

The term “world music” began to be used in the 1980s, when it was used to describe traditionally-based pop musics of African, Asian, and Latin American countries. In the 2000s, it was used to describe any genre of popular music that has its roots in traditional music from around the world.

Reggae is a genre of world music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Reggae is characterized by a heavy bass sound and a distinctive rhythm that is often described as “reggae riddim.” Reggae has been influence by many different genres of music, including rocksteady, ska, and dub.

So, is reggae world music? Yes, it is!

What are the different genres of world music?

World music is a musical category encompassing many different styles of music from around the globe. It includes traditional music, contemporary music, and everything in between.

There are many different genres of world music, each with its own unique history and traditions. Some of the most popular genres include:

Afrobeat: A fusion of African and Western styles, Afrobeat is a high-energy genre that is perfect for dancing.

Bossa nova: A Brazilian style of music that combines elements of jazz and samba, bossa nova is smooth and relaxing.

Calypso: A Caribbean genre that originated in Trinidad, calypso is characterized by its catchy rhythms and lyrics often focused on social commentary.

Reggae: A Jamaican style of music with roots in ska and rocksteady, reggae is famous for its relaxed, feel-good vibes.

Where does reggae fit in?

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The word reggae is derived from a Spanish word meaning “the king’s music.” Reggae evolved from ska and rocksteady, and is characterized by a distinctive rhythm, which is created by the “offbeat” accenting of the chords played by the guitar and piano. Reggae music is often political or spiritual in nature, and many reggae songs are concerned with social issues such as poverty, racism, and inequality.

Reggae has been been influenced by many other genres of music, including jazz, R&B, and even hip hop. As a result, it can be difficult to categorize reggae as a single genre. Some people consider reggae to be world music, while others see it as a type of pop music. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to consider reggae world music is up to the individual listener.

What are the elements of reggae that make it world 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 deeply rooted in Rastafari culture; however, it has crossed into secular Miami bass, techno, rap, dubstep, and post-punk rock scenes. There are many subgenres of reggae, including roots reggae, ska, rocksteady, dub, ragga, dancehall, and digital dancehall (also known as “ragga”). The earliest form of musical expression associated with Rastafari was Nyabinghi drumming; however, this was quickly replaced by the sound system party during the 1950s.

The essential elements of reggae are offbeat rhythms (commonly known as skank) played on drums (usually double bass drum) or guitar (sometimes called “chuck”), held down by a hypnotic bassline; guitar or keyboard playing uncomplicated chords; simple melodic lead lines (usually played on brass instruments or keyboards); occasional horns for accents; and lyrics calling for decriminalization of marijuana and other drugs, repatriation to Africa (“Marcus Garvey”), Haile Selassie I worship (“Jah”), social justice (“One Love”), or love of fellow human beings and Jah (“One Heart”).

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