Reggae Vectors: The Best of Reggae Music

Looking for the best reggae vectors around? Check out our top picks for the best reggae music to get you in the mood for summertime fun.

What is Reggae?

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “raggedy”, which was used to describe the music of the poor. Reggae is characterized by a strong bass line, drums, and guitar. The best reggae songs are known for their catchy rhythms and positive messages.

The Origins of Reggae

The word reggae came about in the late 1960s, when Jamaican musicians influenced by traditional mento and ska as well as American Jazz and R&B started to play around with the new sound. The first use of the word reggae was in a 1968 song by Toots and the Maytals called “Do the Reggay”. It wasn’t long before other artists were using the term to describe their own music.

Reggae is a music style that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The word “reggae” is sometimes used to refer to all types of Jamaican music, including ska, rocksteady, and dub. Reggae usually has a slow tempo and uses an offbeat rhythm. The offbeat rhythm is often created by accenting the third beat in each measure (bar).

The Sound of Reggae

The sound of reggae is unique and easily recognizable, with a heavy bass line and drum beat. The guitars in reggae are often played with a distinctive ska-like rhythm, and the piano and horns join in to create a catchy, melodic sound. Reggae lyrics are often about love, social issues, or religion, and are sung in a smooth, relaxed style.

Reggae has its roots in Jamaican ska and rocksteady music, both of which were popular in the 1960s. Ska is characterized by a fast tempo and offbeat guitar rhythms, while rocksteady is distinguished by its slower pace and more soulful sound. Reggae developed out of these two genres in the late 1960s, when Jamaican musicians began experimenting with new sounds and production techniques.

Reggae quickly gained popularity in Jamaica and soon spread to other parts of the world, including the UK and the US. In the 1970s, reggae artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff became international stars, helping to bring reggae to a wider audience. Today, reggae continues to be popular in many parts of the world, including Jamaica, the UK, and the US.

The Best Reggae Artists

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The music is characterized by its use of the Jamaican Patois, or creole, and its slow, relaxed tempo. Reggae has been hugely influential, with its sound and style being adopted by other genres such as rock, pop, and hip hop. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best reggae artists out there.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is undoubtedly the best-known reggae artist of all time. His music has been hugely influential, not just in the genre of reggae, but in all forms of popular music. He is a true icon, and his legacy continues to this day. If you’re looking for the best of reggae music, there’s no question that Bob Marley is the place to start.

Burning Spear

Burning Spear, born Winston Rodney, is a legendary Jamaican reggae singer and musician. He is best known for his work with producer Bunny Lee in the 1970s and his anthems “Slavery Days” and “Marcus Garvey”. He was awarded the Order of Distinction in 2002.

Lee “Scratch” Perry

When it comes to the history of reggae, there are few figures as important or as prolific as Lee “Scratch” Perry. A true visionary, Perry was one of the first producers to experiment with the genre, and his innovative techniques helped shape the sound of reggae for decades to come.

Born in 1936 in rural Jamaica, Perry got his start working as a apprentice at Kingston’s famed Studio One, where he cut his teeth on the work of legendary artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was during this period that Perry began to develop his signature sound, making liberal use of echo and delay to create a new sonic landscape for reggae.

In 1968, Perry struck out on his own, opening his own studio, the Black Ark. It was here that Perry would create some of his most iconic work, producing groundbreaking albums for artists like Max Romeo, The Congos, and The Heptones. Perry’s experimental approach to production pushed reggae in new and exciting directions, and his influence can still be heard in the music of today.

The Best Reggae Songs

Reggae music has its roots in the ska and rocksteady of Jamaica in the 1960s. The genre is characterized by a strong emphasis on rhythm and percussion, as well as a bass guitar that often has a “riddim” effect. Reggae has been a hugely influential genre, with its positive messages and unique sound.

“No Woman, No Cry” – Bob Marley

“No Woman, No Cry” is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The song was originally released on the 1974 album Natty Dread. The live version of the song released on the 1977 album Live! is one of Marley’s most popular songs.

The lyrics of “No Woman, No Cry” are about Marley’s childhood in Trenchtown, Jamaica. The lyrics also refer to one of Marley’s friends who had died, Vincient Ford. The line “No woman, no cry” is a statement and reassurance to Marley’s mother that he will not cry over Ford’s death.

The live version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In March 2010, it was announced that “No Woman, No Cry” would be added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.

“Satta Massagana” – The Abyssinians

Satta Massagana is a Rastafarian song originally performed by The Abyssinians. The song is based on a traditional Ethiopian melody, and its lyrics are adapted from a passages in the Bible. The song became popular in the 1970s when it was covered by many artists, including Aswad and Billy Paul.

“War” – Burning Spear

“War” is a song written by Burning Spear, released as a single in 1968 on the Studio One label. The song became one of Burning Spear’s best-known tracks, and has been covered by many artists.