Live Reggae Music in Brooklyn

If you’re looking for the best live reggae music in Brooklyn, look no further than our list of the top venues.

Introduction

Reggae music has its origins in the African diaspora in Jamaica, and specifically the Rastafari movement, which combines African and Jamaican musical traditions, as well as influences from the United States. The genre developed in the 1960s, and reached international popularity in the 1970s. Reggae music is characterized by a strong bass line, and often features horns, guitars, and percussion.

Brooklyn has a long history of reggae music, dating back to the 1970s. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the genre, with live reggae music venues popping up around the borough. If you’re looking for a place to hear some live reggae music in Brooklyn, you’re in luck – here are some of our favorite spots!

The Best Places to Hear Reggae Music in Brooklyn

If you’re a fan of reggae music, then you’ll want to check out some of the best places to hear it in Brooklyn. From venues that feature live music to those that play reggae records, there’s something for everyone. Here are just a few of the best places to enjoy reggae music in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Bowl

The Brooklyn Bowl is one of the best places to enjoy live reggae music in Brooklyn. The venue offers a variety of Jamaican-influenced dishes, as well as a full bar with cocktails and beer. The bowl itself is a large performance space with a stage for live music. The Brooklyn Bowl also has a dance floor, making it the perfect place to let loose and enjoy the music.

The Knitting Factory

The Knitting Factory is a Brooklyn institution, having been around for over 20 years. It’s one of the best places to catch live reggae music in the borough, with a lineup that includes both local and international acts. The venue also has a bar and restaurant, so you can get your drink on while you enjoy the tunes.

C’Mon Everybody

C’Mon Everybody is a relatively new venue that has been making a big splash in the Brooklyn music scene. This Bedford-Stuyvesant establishment hosts live music seven nights a week, with a focus on up-and-coming talent. Reggae is front and center on Wednesday nights, when the venue welcomes local and touring artists for intimate performances.

Recent guests include rising stars like Masia One and J Boog, as well as legendary figures like Sister Nancy and Junior Murvin. C’Mon Everybody has quickly become one of the best places to catch live reggae in Brooklyn, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in town.

The History of Reggae Music in Brooklyn

Reggae music has a long and storied history in Brooklyn, New York. The first wave of Jamaican immigrants settled in the borough in the 1950s, bringing with them the sounds of ska, rocksteady, and early reggae. In the 1970s and 80s, second-generation Jamaican-Americans kept the flame burning, throwing massive soundsystem parties in basements and community centers. Today, Brooklyn is home to a thriving reggae scene, with dozens of venues hosting live music every night of the week.

The Reggae Scene in the 1970s

In the 1970s, the reggae scene in Brooklyn was booming. Venues like the Club Hangtight and the Bluebird Café were pumpsin’ out fresh tunes all night long, and aspiring artists like Smiley Culture and Aswad were perfecting their craft. The music was feel-good and upbeat, with a strong message of peace, love, and unity. It was the sound of a generation coming together to celebrate their culture and heritage.

The popularity of reggae in Brooklyn continued to grow in the 1980s and 1990s, with more clubs and venues popping up to cater to the demand. Artists like Shaggy and Sean Paul brought a new energy to the scene, and reggae-infused hip-hop became increasingly popular. Today, reggae is as popular as ever in Brooklyn, with live music happening all over the city every night of the week.

The Reggae Scene in the 1980s

In the 1980s, reggae music in Brooklyn reached a fever pitch, with a vibrant scene centered around the Brooklyn Museum and a number of nightclubs and sound systems. The most famous venue was likely the House of Love, which hosted live reggae bands and DJs seven nights a week. Other popular spots included Club Culture, Negril, and Mr. Twister’s Sound System.

The 1980s was also the decade that saw the rise of hip hop in Brooklyn, with artists like Beastie Boys, Run DMC, and Public Enemy coming out of the borough. While hip hop would eventually overshadow reggae in popularity, the two genres have always had a close connection, with many reggae artists incorporating hip hop elements into their music.

The Reggae Scene in the 1990s

The 1990s saw the continuation of the roots revival trend in Reggae music. In 1993, Beenie Man’s Yagga Yagga rose to the top of the Jamaican charts, and was widely played on New York radio. In 1996, Capleton’s Tour began to get some attention in the US, and his hit single “Tour” was included on several hip hop and R&B compilation albums. By the late 1990s, Sean Paul’s “Deport Dem” had become an international hit, ushering in a new wave of Dancehall Reggae artists.

In Brooklyn, the Reggae scene continued to grow throughout the 1990s. Several important venues opened up, including Club Caribbean in Canarsie, Besharah’s in East New York, and I-tal Sounds in Crown Heights. These venues helped to nurture new talent and expose Brooklyn audiences to a wide variety of Reggae music.

The 1990s also saw the rise ofseveral important Brooklyn-based Reggae bands, including The Wailing Souls, Culture Roots Hi-Fi, and African Star. These bands helped to keep Reggae music alive and thriving in Brooklyn during a time when many other genres were beginning to take over the borough’s musical landscape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, live reggae music in Brooklyn is definitely something worth checking out. There are many great venues that offer this type of music, and it is a great way to experience the culture of Brooklyn. If you are looking for a great night out, be sure to check out one of these venues.