Jamaica Reggae Music – 2013
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If you’re a fan of reggae music, then you’ll want to check out our Jamaica Reggae Music – 2013 blog. We’ll be featuring some of the best reggae music from Jamaica, so stay tuned!
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 danceable music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.
The Origins of Reggae Music
Reggae music originated in the island of Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term “reggae” is derived from the word “ragged,” which describes the looseness and freedom of the music. Reggae music is a blend of African rhythms, mento (a Jamaican folk music), and ska (a popular Jamaican music from the 1960s). Reggae music became popular in the 1970s with the rise of reggae artists such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. The popularity of reggae music has continued to grow in recent years with the rise of Jamaican dancehall artists such as Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Beenie Man.
The Development of Reggae Music
The development of reggae music in Jamaica can be traced back to the ska and rocksteady genres that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Reggae music developed from these genres and quickly became popular throughout Jamaica. The developers of reggae music were often influenced by American R&B and rock music, as well as Jamaican mento and calypso music. The first wave of reggae artists included people such as Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Toots & the Maytals. Reggae music quickly gained popularity outside of Jamaica, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it was embraced by the country’s large Caribbean community.
The Popularity of Reggae Music
Since the early 1970s, reggae music has been enormously popular all over the world. Originally a native of Jamaica, reggae is a genre of music that combines elements of ska, rocksteady, and dub. The music is characterized by its heavy bassline and drum-and-bass rhythms. Reggae artists often sing about social and political issues, which has made the music a popular choice for protest songs and anthems.
Reggae’s international popularity was boosted in the early 1980s by the release of Bob Marley’s album Legend. Marley’s music introduced many people outside of Jamaica to reggae; his unique blend of reggae, ska, and rocksteady became known as ” roots reggae.” Marley’s lyrics also contained positive messages about peace, love, and unity, which resonated with audiences around the world. Legend is now one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
In the decades since Marley’s death, other reggae artists have achieved international success. Ziggy Marley, Bob Marley’s son, has won eight Grammy Awards for his solo work. Sean Paul, another Jamaican reggae artist, has also achieved massive global popularity; his 2002 single “Get Busy” was a #1 hit in more than 10 countries. In recent years, dancehall – a genre of Jamaican music that developed in the late 1970s – has also become popular internationally. Artists such as Shaggy and Beenie Man have had success with dancehall-influenced tracks such as “Hey Sexy Lady” and ” Feel It Boy.”
There are now reggae festivals held all over the world; these events typically feature a mix of established artists and up-and-coming talent. Reggae music continues to be hugely popular in spite of its humble origins; it is a truly global phenomenon.
The Influence of Reggae Music
In recent years, a new generation of Jamaican musicians has been experimenting with the reggae template by infusing it with other genres like dancehall, hip hop, R&B, and even EDM. These artists are not only keeping reggae music alive, but they’re also pushing it into new and exciting directions. Here are just a few of the most influential Jamaican reggae artists working today.
The Future of Reggae Music
In 2013, the future of reggae music is bright. With the recent resurgence in popularity of the genre, more and more artists are beginning to experiment with its sound. This is resulting in a new wave of reggae that is more innovative and exciting than ever before.
So far, the year has seen the release of some great new reggae albums, such as ladder by Deftones and Riddim by The Congos. These albums are proof that reggae is still evolving and that there is still plenty of room for new sounds and ideas within the genre.
It seems likely that 2013 will be a big year for reggae music, as more and more people discover its unique charms. With any luck, this will lead to even more interesting and boundary-pushing music being released in the years to come.
