Reggae Music in Philadelphia

The Reggae Music scene in Philadelphia is heating up! Check out the best places to hear Reggae Music in Philadelphia.

The Birth of Reggae in Philadelphia

Reggae music has its origins in the Caribbean island of Jamaica. The genre developed in the 1960s, and spread to other countries in the 1970s. Reggae music is a mix of African and Jamaican influences, with a focus on rhythm and percussion. Reggae is often associated with the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s.

Reggae music became popular in Philadelphia in the late 1970s, when a group of Jamaican immigrants established a community in the city. These immigrants brought with them their love of reggae music, and soon there were reggae clubs and radio stations playing the genre. Today, reggae music is an important part of Philadelphia’s musical landscape, and there are many reggae festivals held in the city each year.

The Growth of Reggae in Philadelphia

The sound of Reggae music has been around since the late 1960’s, however the genre did not gain much popularity in the United States until the 1970’s. Reggae music first made its way to Philadelphia in the early 1970’s through the Jamaican community that had settled in the city. The first Jamaican owned Reggae record store, Bamboo Records, opened its doors in 1974, giving Philadelphians greater access to the music. The store quickly became a hub for the local Reggae scene. In 1975, the first Reggae radio show in Philadelphia, “Reggae Express” began airing on WHAT 1340 AM. The show featured music and interviews with local and international Reggae artists.

Reggae music continued to grow in popularity throughout the late 1970’s and 1980’s. In 1986, Wescout records released “Reggae on Westcoast Vol. 1”, which was the first compilation of Philly Reggae artists. The album featured 12 local artists including Michael Rose, Slim Smith and Junior Reid. The following year, Wescout released “Reggae on Westcoast Vol. 2”, which featured 16 local artists including Bunny Wailer and Freddie McGregor.

The 1990’s saw a decline in the popularity of Reggae music in Philadelphia. This was due in part to the rise of Hip Hop and R&B as well as dancehall music, which had replaced Reggae as the genre of choice among Jamaican immigrants. However, there was a resurgence of interest in the genre in the early 2000’s due to a new generation of Jamaican immigrants who were exposed to Reggae music while growing up in Jamaica. This new generation has helped to keep Reggae alive in Philadelphia and has ensured that the sound of Reggae will continue to be heard in the city for years to come.

The Impact of Reggae in Philadelphia

Reggae music has been a staple in Philadelphia since the 1970s, when the city was first introduced to the genre by way of Jamaican immigrant communities. Reggae quickly gained popularity among Philly’s black and Latino residents, becoming one of the city’s most prominent musical genres.

Reggae has had a significant impact on Philadelphia’s music scene, influencing numerous other genres and helping to create an uniquely diverse musical culture in the city. Philly’s reggae scene is also notable for its community-oriented and political nature; many local reggae artists use their music as a platform to raise awareness about social issues affecting the city’s residents.

Though it has been overshadowed in recent years by other genres, reggae continues to be an important part of Philadelphia’s musical landscape.

The Future of Reggae in Philadelphia

In the past few years, interest in reggae music in Philadelphia has exploded. More and more people are going to concerts and festivals, and local radio stations are starting to play more reggae music. This is thanks in part to the efforts of local businesses and promoters who are working to bring the music to a wider audience.

The future of reggae in Philadelphia looks bright. There are a number of up-and-coming bands that are gaining popularity, and there is a growing appetite for live reggae music. With the continued support of the community, there is no reason why reggae cannot become a mainstream genre in Philadelphia.