Pop Music with a Reggae Sound

Looking for some new music to check out? Why not give pop music with a reggae sound a try? In this blog post, we’ll recommend some of our favorite tracks for you to check out.

Introduction

Reggae music is a genre of popular music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The sound is characterized by a strong beat and extensive use of syncopated rhythms. Reggae is often considered to be a form of African-American music, but it actually has its roots in Caribbean and African music.

Reggae fusion is a genre of popular music that combines elements of reggae with other genres, such as pop, rock, hip hop, or R&B. Reggae fusion artists typically use elements of reggae to create a unique sound that is different from traditional reggae.

The term “reggae” was first used in print in 1968, in thecontext of a Jamaican style of funk or soul music associated with artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. There are several subgenres of reggae, including ska, rocksteady, dub, and dancehall. Reggae has been influenced by many other genres, including blues, jazz, and hip hop.

Reggae fusion artists typically use elements of reggae to create a unique sound that is different from traditional reggae. Reggae fusion artists include Sean Paul, Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg), Shaggy, Damian Marley, and Black Eyed Peas.

The Birth of Reggae

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used to describe a style of music that was influenced by traditional Jamaican folk music, African-American jazz, and rhythm and blues.

Ska

Ska is a popular music genre that was started in Jamaica in the late 1950s. Ska is a style of music that is played with a strong offbeat, or skanking, rhythm. Ska music has influences from many different genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues, and mento. Ska was very popular in Jamaica in the 1960s, and it quickly spread to other parts of the world in the 1970s. The popularity of ska music waned in the 1980s, but it experienced a resurgence in the 1990s with the rise of ska-punk bands like Sublime and No Doubt.

Rocksteady

Reggae music developed in the late 1960s, when the focus shifted from ska to rocksteady. Rocksteady is a slower style of music than ska, with a 4/4 beat and emphasis on the offbeat. The lyrics are also usually more sentimental than those of ska. Reggae became more internationally known after the release of The Harder They Come, a film starring Jimmy Cliff, in 1972.

One of the most important things to remember about rocksteady is that the music was produced during a time of great political unrest in Jamaica. Many of the lyrics reflect the economic and social struggles that Jamaicans were facing at the time. In addition, rocksteady was often used as a way to spread political messages. For example, many songs were written about Rastafari, a religious movement that developed in Jamaica in the 1930s.

Despite its political origins, rocksteady is often seen as a light-hearted and fun style of music. It is characterized by its easy-going atmosphere and catchy melodies. Many rocksteady songs have become classics, including Alton Ellis’s “Rock steady” and The Paragons’ “The Tide Is High”.

Reggae’s Golden Age

Reggae emerged in the late 1960s, and since then, it has become one of the most popular genres of music. The golden age of reggae was in the 1970s, when the genre was at its peak. Reggae’s popularity has only grown since then, and it is now one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

The Wailers

Reggae’s Golden Age is often considered to be the 1970s, when the genre was gaining in popularity around the world. The Wailers, a Jamaican reggae band formed in 1963, were one of the most successful and innovative groups of the era. The band’s core members were Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, and their unique blend of reggae, ska, and rocksteady sounds helped to make them international stars. The Wailers’ best-known songs include “Jamming,” “No Woman No Cry,” and “One Love/People Get Ready.”

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is indisputably the most well-known and revered exponent of reggae music. His career began in 1963 with the release of the song “Simmer Down,” which was a huge hit in Jamaica. Marley’s band, The Wailers, went on to release a string of successful singles and albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Some of their best-known songs include “I Shot the Sheriff,” “No Woman, No Cry,” and “Exodus.” Marley’s message of peace, love, and social justice, coupled with his catchy tunes and Rastafarian image, made him an international star. He died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

The Sound of Reggae

Over the years, the sound of pop music has been greatly influenced by the sounds of various genres, including reggae. The characteristic sound of reggae, with its offbeat bass guitar and drumming, as well as its unique way of phrasing lyrics, has been absorbed into the pop music vernacular and can be heard in the music of many top artists.

The Bass Line

The bass line in reggae is usually played on an electric bass. The home-grown Jamaican style uses a distinct “skank” gauge, which gives the music its characteristic sound. The skank is made by playing the strings with the first two fingers while pressing down on the strings with the thumb. This technique gives the bass a percussive sound that ties in with the drums.

The Drum Beat

The sound of reggae is dominated by the drum beat. The drum is played on the off beat of the second and fourth count. In other words, when you are “hitting one” you are also hitting three. This offbeat rhythm is what gives reggae its unique sound.

The bass also plays an important role in the reggae sound. The bass guitar generally follows the same pattern as the drum, playing on the off beat of the second and fourth count. Reggae bass lines are often very complex and can be difficult to play.

The guitars in reggae are generally played in a staccato style, with short, choppy strokes. This choppy guitar sound is what gives reggae its signature groove.

Keyboards and horns are often used in reggae music to add flavor and texture. These instruments typically play melody or counter-melody lines, which helps to create a fuller sound.

The Guitar Riffs

The reggae guitar sound is like no other. When listening to a reggae song, you can always pick out the guitar right away. The very distinctive sound is created by a few different techniques that are used by the guitarist. The first and most important technique is called skanking. Skanking is a percussive playing style that uses the upstrokes of the chords instead of the downstrokes. This creates a verysyncopated, staccato sound that is integral to the reggae guitar sound. Another technique that is used to create the reggae guitar sound is called muting. Muting is when the guitarist rests his hand on the strings to deaden the sound. This creates a percussive, rhythmic effect that also contributes to the overall reggae sound.

Conclusion

While there are many different types of music that have a reggae sound, pop music is one of the most popular. This is likely because reggae is such a happy and upbeat genre, and pop music often shares these same qualities. If you’re looking for some new music to enjoy that has a reggae sound, be sure to check out some of the artists and songs listed above. You’re sure to find something you enjoy!