A Brief History of Jamaican Music: Reggae

Discover the rich history of Jamaican music, from its early folk beginnings to the international sensation of reggae.

Origins of Reggae

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The word reggae comes from the word “raggedy”, which was used to describe the music of the time. Reggae is a combination of African and Caribbean influences, and is characterized by its heavy bass and drum sound. The genre became popular in the 1970s with the release of Bob Marley’s album, Catch a Fire.

Ska

Ska is the predecessor to reggae and was the first popular Jamaican music. It started in the late 1950s, and was a direct result of the American R&B, jazz, and rock n’ roll that was being played in Jamaica. The two-tone ska sound quickly caught on, and by the early 1960s it had spread throughout the Caribbean. American-style rocksteady soon followed, led by artists such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, and Slim Smith.

Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in 1966. The term rocksteady comes from a style of dancing called “the rocksteady” which was influenced by the movements of American soul and R&B. Rocksteady was the immediate predecessor of reggae and began when producers started making slower and more soulful tracks for the dancers at the sound systems. The first rocksteady hit was “Hold Me Tight” by Johnny Nash, which was followed by Alton Ellis’ “I’m Still in Love With You”.

The sounds of rocksteady differed from ska in several ways. The instrumentation was heavier, with more drums and bass, and the horns were less prominent. The guitar playing was also more laid-back than in ska. In addition, while ska had been dominated by up-tempo songs, rocksteady laid the emphasis on slow and sexy ballads.

By late 1966 or early 1967, the slow, sensuous sound of rocksteady had begun to catch on with a wider audience, and it continued to enjoy popularity throughout the rest of the 1960s. However, unlike ska and reggae, rocksteady did not give rise to any international stars or hits outside of Jamaica. Nevertheless, it remains an important part of Jamaican musical history.

The Golden Age of Reggae

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The early 1970s was the golden age of reggae, when the genre was at its peak. Reggae music is characterized by its slow, measured beat and its focus on melody and harmony. The lyrics are often simple, but they can be very poetic and expressive.

The Wailers

The Wailers were a Jamaican reggae band led by Bob Marley, which developed from the earlier ska vocal group, the Wailing Rudeboys, and finally the Wailing Wailers. The final lineup of the group consisted of Marley himself, Bunny Wailer (Vocals, Drums), Peter Tosh (Vocals, Guitar), and brothers Neville “Bunny” O’Riley Livingston (aka Family Man) (Bass) and Cyril Issachar (aka Steve) (Keyboards). The other two original members participation was intermittent; Junior Braithwaite sang on many early tracks but left in 1966 due to personal problems, while Beverley Kelso only sang on one recording (“One Love”) but remained as a touring member until she permanently left in early 1971. Taggy Swan also toured with the band during this time as a backing vocalist.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is one of the most famous reggae artists of all time. He was born in Jamaica in 1945 and rose to prominence in the 1970s with his band, Bob Marley and the Wailers. Marley is credited with helping to spread reggae music around the world and is considered one of the genre’s most important innovators. He died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

Other Reggae Stars of the 1970s

Reggae continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1970s, both in Jamaica and internationally. A number of other reggae stars emerged during this decade, including:

Bob Marley – Considered by many to be the greatest reggae artist of all time, Bob Marley was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who achieved international fame with his band, the Wailers. Marley’s most famous songs include “No Woman, No Cry”, “I Shot the Sheriff”, and “One Love”. He died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

Peter Tosh – A former member of the Wailers, Peter Tosh was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who also achieved international fame as a solo artist. His most famous songs include “Equal Rights” and “ Legalize It”. He was shot and killed during a robbery at his home in 1987 at the age of 42.

Jimmy Cliff – A singer and actor, Jimmy Cliff is best known for starring in and contributing songs to The Harder They Come, a 1972 film about a young Jamaican man who becomes a reggae star and then turns to a life of crime. Cliff’s most famous songs include “Wonderful World Beautiful People” and “The Harder They Come”. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Decline of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The style is characterized by a strong bass line, guitar, drums, and keyboards. Reggae became popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but it experienced a decline in the 1990s.

The Death of Bob Marley

The death of reggae legend Bob Marley from cancer on May 11, 1981 was a turning point for the genre. Marley’s sudden passing sent shockwaves throughout the music world, and it was felt especially hard in his native Jamaica. Marley was not only the biggest reggae star in the world, he was also one of the country’s biggest exports. His loss was a huge blow to the economy, and it signaled the beginning of a decline in popularity for reggae music.

Reggae would never again reach the same level of commercial success it had in the 1970s, but the genre continued to evolve. In the 1990s, Jamaican artists began experiment with dancehall, a new style that incorporated elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music. The popularity of dancehall helped to rejuvenate reggae’s popularity in Jamaica, and it also introduced the genre to a new generation of listeners around the world.

Today, reggae is as popular as ever. Thanks to Bob Marley’s enduring legacy, the genre has been able to stay relevant for over 40 years and counting.

The Rise of Dancehall

In the early 1980s, a new style of Jamaican music called dancehall emerged. Dancehall was a more stripped-down, electronic version of reggae with lyrics that often focused on parties and dancing. Artist like Yellowman and Sister Nancy became popular with their party anthems, while others like Bounty Killer and Beenie Man would ignite the careers of many other artists to come.

The 1990s saw the rise of a new generation of dancehall stars. Artist like Sean Paul, Shaggy, Buju Banton, and Beenie Man would bring the genre to new heights with their infectious beats and catchy hooks. By the end of the decade, dancehall was one of the most popular genres in Jamaica.

However, the 2000s would see a decline in the popularity of dancehall. The rise of American hip hop and R&B along with economic hardships in Jamaica led to a decline in its popularity. While artist like Sean Paul and Shaggy would find success in crossover markets, many other artist would struggle to find an audience outside of Jamaica.

Reggae in the 21st Century

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The style is heavily influenced by traditional African music, as well as British and American rock and roll. Reggae has become a global phenomenon, with artists like Bob Marley becoming household names. In the 21st century, reggae continues to evolve, with new subgenres and artists emerging.

The Resurgence of Reggae

The 21st century has been kind to reggae music. After falling out of the mainstream spotlight in the 1990s, the genre has made a strong comeback in recent years. A new generation of reggae artists has found success by blending traditional sounds with elements of other genres, such as hip-hop, R&B, and rock.

Reggae artist Damian Marley, son of legendary singer Bob Marley, is one of the most successful crossover artists in recent years. His 2006 album “Welcome to Jamrock” topped charts in the United States and United Kingdom, and won multiple Grammy Awards. Marley’s success demonstrates that reggae music can still find a place in the mainstream musical landscape.

Other popular reggae artists of the 21st century include Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and Shaggy. Reggae music has also been featured prominently in films such as “Homegrown” (1998) and “Rockers” (1978). The popularity of reggae music shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

New Reggae Stars

In the 21st century, a new generation of reggae artists has emerged, influenced by a wide range of genres including hip hop, dancehall, and R&B. These artists have found success both in Jamaica and internationally, with some even crossing over into the mainstream.

Some of the most popular new reggae artists include Chronixx, Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid, and Rebelution. These artists are helping to keep reggae alive and well in the 21st century, ensuring that this important part of Jamaican culture will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.