Reggae-Like Jamaican Music You Need to Check Out
We all know and love reggae music, but did you know that there’s a whole other world of Jamaican music out there that’s just as amazing? If you’re looking for something new to check out, here are five reggae-like Jamaican artists you need to check out!
The Birth of Ska
The Birth of Ska
In the late 1950s, a new musical style was born in Jamaica. Ska was a direct reaction to the popularity of American R&B and rock & roll music on the island. Jamaican musicians began playing R&B and rock & roll songs in a new way, with a faster tempo and a heavier emphasis on the offbeat. This new style of music soon became known as ska.
Ska quickly became popular in Jamaica, and Jamaican ska artists began to enjoy success internationally. In the 1960s, ska-influenced music was embraced by young people in Britain, who created their own version of the style, which came to be known as “2-Tone” (after the record label that specialized in this type of music). 2-Tone bands like The Specials and Madness helped to make ska popular in Britain and Europe in the 1980s.
Today, ska is enjoyed by fans all over the world, and Jamaican artists continue to produce great ska music. If you’re looking for some reggae-like Jamaican music to check out, here are three current ska bands that you should check out.
The Skints
The Skints are a band from London, England that formed in 2006. The band’s sound is a mix of punk rock, dub, reggae, and ska. The Skints have released four albums: Live & Learn (2012), Part & Parcel (2014), FM (2017), and Swimming Lessons (2019).
The Slackers
The Slackers are a band from New York City that formed in 1991. The band’s sound is a mix of punk rock, dub, reggae, and ska. The Slackers have released 12 albums: Better Late Than Never (1996), Wasted Days (1998), The Question (2000), Slackness (2002), Redlight (2005), Peculiar (2008), self-titled album (2011), Lost & Found (2012), Live At The Flamingo Cantina Volume 1 & 2 (2013), Pepe Says Hello! xtra cover album (2016) , The Great Rocksteady Swindle studio album(2018) ,unsure live album(2020) Upon hearing one of their albums for the first time some have stated “If only all modern day bands sounded this good” or “Their sound is so timeless that I can easily picture this band being around 30 years ago or 30 years from now” .
The Rise 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 dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.
The Evolution of Dancehall
The evolution of dancehall music has been a long and winding one, with the genre drawing influence from a diverse range of sources over the years. From its early beginnings in the 1950s as an offshoot of Jamaican Mento music, to its present-day incarnation as a global phenomenon, dancehall has undergone many changes and mutations.
One of the most significant changes to occur in dancehall was the introduction of electronic instruments and drum machines in the 1980s. This new sound, known as ragga, quickly gained popularity with Jamaican youth and soon spread to other parts of the world. Today, many popular dancehall artists such as Sean Paul and Shaggy trace their musical roots back to ragga.
While it is certainly true that dancehall music has evolved considerably over the years, one thing remains constant: its ability to get people moving! Whether you’re getting your groove on at a party or simply enjoying some alone time in your car, there’s no denying that Jamaica’s signature sound always manages to bring the fun.
Contemporary Jamaican Music
Contemporary Jamaican music has been influenced by many different genres, including reggae, rock, ska, and dub. As a result, there is no one “sound” that typifies Jamaican music today. However, there are a few artists who are creating exciting new sounds that are sure to appeal to reggae fans.
One artist to check out is Protoje, whose album Who Knows features a mix of reggae, dub, and hip-hop. Another artist worth checking out is Chronixx, whose sound combines elements of reggae, rock, and pop. For something truly unique, check out Runkus, whose music combines elements of dancehall and electronic music.
