Reggae Music in LA: The Best Spots to Hear Good Vib
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Reggae music has been a staple in Los Angeles since the 1970s. If you’re looking for the best spots to hear some good vibes, check out our list of the top places to enjoy Reggae music in LA.
Reggae History
Reggae music has its origins in Jamaica, and is a style of music that is heavily influenced by traditional African and Caribbean music. Reggae music is typically characterized by a strong beat and a emphasizing the off-beat. The genre first gained popularity in the 1960s with artists like Bob Marley.
Origins in Jamaica
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 broader sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican danceable music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.
Spread to Other Countries
In 1967, a combination of political, economic, and social factors resulted in an upsurge of Jamaican music in the United Kingdom. At the same time, several hundred Jamaican musicians, producers, and engineers emigrated to the UK. These new arrivals constituted a musical brain drain on Jamaica, contributing to a slackening in the output of new recordings there during 1968 and 1969. According to Collin Larkin, “In 1970 there were only fifty-seven reggae recordings released in Jamaica as against ninety-six in 1968.”
During the 1970s, reggae music became firmly established in Britain thanks largely to the efforts of migrants from Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean. The London-based Island Records was at the forefront of this development with its signing of artists such as Bob Marley & The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Toots & The Maytals, and Gregory Isaacs. In 1972 Island released the first album by Marley & The Wailers, Catch a Fire—widely regarded as one of the greatest reggae albums ever made—while Cliff enjoyed huge success with his comeback album Wonderful World, Beautiful People (also 1972). During this period British reggae also benefited from the talents of non-Jamaican artists such as Aswad and Steel Pulse—both from Birmingham—and Donna Summer (originally from Boston but based in Germany), who had a worldwide hit single with “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” (1979), a duet with Barbra Streisand that used a sample from Aswad’s “Don’t Turn Around” (1988).
Reggae in Los Angeles
Reggae music has been around since the late 1960s, and it’s still going strong today. If you’re a fan of reggae music, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of places in Los Angeles where you can hear good reggae music. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best spots to hear reggae music in LA.
Popularity of Reggae in LA
Reggae music has been popular in Los Angeles since the 1970s, when the genre first began to gain international acclaim. Since then, LA has become home to a thriving reggae scene, with both local and touring artists performing at venues across the city.
Reggae music is typically characterized by its laid-back, relaxed sound and its focus on positive messages and social commentary. The genre often incorporates elements of other styles of music, such as R&B, soul, and hip-hop.
There are a number of great places to hear reggae music in Los Angeles. Some of the city’s most popular reggae venues include the House of Blues, the Mint, and the Airliner. Reggae nightspots are also often found at beach clubs and waterfront bars, making them perfect for catching some sun and enjoying the laid-back vibe of LA’s reggae scene.
The Best Spots to Hear Good Reggae Music in LA
Reggae music has been a staple in Los Angeles for decades, and there are still many great places to hear it today. Here are some of the best spots to hear good reggae music in LA:
The Jamaicaniners Reggae Nights at Zanzibar: Zanzibar is one of the best-known reggae clubs in Los Angeles, and for good reason. The Jamaicaniners Reggae Nights always feature great reggae DJs and live bands, and the dance floor is always packed.
The Roxy: The Roxy is another legendary reggae club in Los Angeles, and it’s always a great place to hear some good reggae music. The Roxy usually has a mix of DJ nights and live bands playing, so there’s always something good to listen to.
The Echo: The Echo is a relatively new addition to the LA reggae scene, but it’s quickly become one of the best spots to hear good music. They have a weekly reggae night that always features some great DJs and live bands.
Cafe Mocha: Cafe Mocha is a coffee shop by day and aLive music venue by night, and they often have live reggae bands playing. It’s a great place to relax with a coffee during the day and then groove to some good tunes at night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great places to hear good reggae music in LA. Whether you’re looking for a place to dance, a place to relax, or a place to mingle with other locals, you’ll find what you’re looking for at one of these destinations.
