The Best of Jamaican Music: Reggae

Reggae music has its origins in Jamaica, and is a genre that is strongly influenced by traditional mento, ska, and rocksteady. The best Jamaican reggae artists are Bob Marley, Buju Banton, and Beenie Man.

Origins 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 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 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 Spread of Reggae

During the 1970s, reggae became a sensation not just in Jamaica, but around the world. This was largely due to the international success of Bob Marley & The Wailers, who performed reggae music with a message of social consciousness and religious faith that resonated with people of all cultures. As reggae continued to grow in popularity, other Jamaican artists found success on the world stage, including Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.

The influence of Jamaican music can be heard in many other genres as well, including hip hop, techno, and even heavy metal. In fact, reggae has been credited as one of the primary influences on the development of punk rock. Some of the most popular reggae songs of all time include “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley & The Wailers, “One Love” by Bob Marley, and “I Shot The Sheriff” by Eric Clapton.

Reggae in the 1970s

Originating in the Jamaican town of Trenchtown in the 1960s, reggae typically features a distinctive offbeat rhythm and often incorporates elements of blues, rock, and ska. The genre developed from earlier Jamaican styles such as ska and rocksteady, and quickly spread to other countries, especially the UK. Reggae enjoyed its golden age in the 1970s, with a plurality of artists producing both conscious lyrics and feel-good anthems.

Reggae in the 1980s

In the 1980s, the center of gravity for reggae moved away from JA. With the advent of digital music production, and an increase in both drug use and violence in JA, many artists left the island. Most went to Britain or Canada, but some, like Freddie McGregor and Junior Reid, found success in the US. McGregor had a number of hits in the 80s with songs like “Big Ship” and “Bobby Bobylon,” while Reid found himself in the middle of a bidding war between major labels after his song “One Blood” became a massive hit on urban radio.

Reggae in the 1990s

In the 1990s, reggae continued to evolve, with a particular focus on Rastafari. The death of Marley in 1981 and the subsequent social and political upheaval in Jamaica resulted in a new wave of reggae artists who developed their own unique sound. Popular artists from this era include Ziggy Marley, Bounty Killer, Capleton, and Buju Banton. Their music often reflects the struggles of Jamaican life, as well as the importance of Rastafari in Jamaican culture.

Reggae in the 2000s

The new millennium saw a resurgence in roots reggae with the rise of artists such as Anthony B, Capleton, and Sizzla. At the same time, the digital revolution was in full swing, and Jamaican music was being influenced by a new generation of international artists. This resulted in a more diverse range of reggae styles, from the hard-hitting dancehall of Vybz Kartel to the soulful melodies of Alborosie.

The Future of Reggae

The future of reggae is hard to predict. While the genre has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, it remains to be seen if this is a fleeting trend or a lasting trend. Additionally, it is unclear if the current crop of reggae artists will be able to maintain the popularity of the genre or if they will be replaced by new artists in the coming years.Regardless of what the future holds for reggae, it is clear that the genre has had a profound impact on both Jamaican and international culture and its influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.