Riding West: Reggae is First Priority Music

Reggae is not just a type of music, it is a way of life. It is the music of the people and the music of the land. When you ride west, you are riding into the heart of the reggae culture.

Introduction

Reggae music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages. It originated in Jamaica in the 1960s, and it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Reggae is a very versatile genre of music, and it can be used for a wide variety of purposes. It is often used as party music, and it can also be used for more serious purposes such as political or social commentary.

No matter what your purpose for listening to reggae music, there are a few things that you should keep in mind in order to get the most out of it. In this article, we will take a look at some tips on how to get the most out of riding west: Reggae is first priority music.

The Reggae Movement

Reggae music started in the late 60s in Jamaica and has since spread to all corners of the globe. The genre is often associated with the Rastafarian movement, but it is also enjoyed by people of all cultures and backgrounds. Reggae music is known for its distinctive rhythm and catchy melodies. It is a popular choice for both dancing and listening.

Reggae’s Beginnings

Reggae’s origins can be traced to the late 1960s, when poor Jamaicans living in ghettos shaped the music to their own needs. Using a two-chord pattern called ska, they created a style that was half party music and half social commentary. The lyrics were often about love or protest, but they could also be lighthearted and fun. As the 1970s progressed, reggae became more political, with artists like Bob Marley writing songs that called for an end to oppression and poverty. By the end of the decade, reggae had become a worldwide phenomenon, as its positive messages and catchy tunes appealed to people of all cultures.

The Spread of Reggae

Reggae’s international appeal was given a big boost in the early 1970s when islanders from across the West Indies began to migrate to Britain and the United States in ever-increasing numbers, carrying with them their love of Jamaican music. Record companies quickly woke up to the fact that there was a large and eager market for reggae among these new arrivals, as well as among white youths in both countries who had been exposed to the music through the growing “skinhead” movement. In Britain, labels such as Island, Trojan, and Greensleeves released a stream of excellent reggae recordings, many of them by artists who had never before been heard outside Jamaica. In America, meanwhile, such companies as Asylum and CBS got into the act, resulting in increased airplay for reggae on radio and TV and greater availability of reggae recordings in the shops. The most important development from the standpoint of spreading Jamaican music around the world, however, was probably the rise of Bob Marley & The Wailers.

The Reggae Sound

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the popular African-American culture associated with the music. Reggae is characterised by a heavy bass line, drum and percussion-based rhythms, and an offbeat or ska-like guitar melody. The lyrics are usually about social issues, love, or religion.

The Elements of Reggae

The basic reggae beat uses the “One Drop” rhythm. The one drop is an off-beat, which falls on the 2nd and 4th counts in a 4/4 measure. The snare drum plays on the 2nd and 4th counts while the bass plays on the 1st and 3rd counts. This basic rhythm can be syncopated by playing sixteenth notes on the hi-hat between counts 2 and 4.

The Reggae sound is often defined by its use of Rastafarian vocabulary, slow tempo, and phonetic spelling. Rastafarian vocabulary would include words such as: iration, I&I, ital, dread, Selassie I, Jah Rastafari. These words are often used in place of their English counterparts (for example: “Iration” might be used instead of “vibration”). The slow tempo is usually around 60-70 beats per minute (bpm), and sometimes even slower. Phonetic spelling of words is common in reggae lyrics, since many of the singers do not have a strong command of English. This can lead to some interesting pronunciations!

The Influence of Reggae

Reggae’s influence is evident in other genres such as ska, rocksteady, dub, disco, 2 Tone, bunga Bunga, breakbeat hardcore, drum and bass, grime, house, techno and trip hop. DJs playing largely or exclusively reggae music include David Rodigan, Coxsone Sound System and pirate radio station Kiss FM. In 1967 a song by Toots and the Maytals “Do the Reggae” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae”, effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience.

The Reggae Lifestyle

Reggae music is more than just a type of music, it is a lifestyle. Reggae is a way of life that includes certain values, traditions, and beliefs. This way of life is something that is shared by many people who love reggae music.

The Rastafari Movement

Rastafari is a movement that began in the 1930s in Jamaica. It was started by a small group of people who were inspired by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader who believed that black people would one day return to their homeland of Africa. The followers of Rastafari, known as Rastafarians, believe that Haile Selassie I, the emperor of Ethiopia, is the reincarnation of God.

Rastafarians live by a set of principles known as the Ital diet, which includes eating natural, unprocessed foods and avoiding alcohol and drugs. They also follow a strict code of dress, which includes wearing their hair in dreadlocks and dressing in bright colors.

Rastafarians believe in peace, love, and unity. They see marijuana as a sacred herb that should be used for religious purposes, and they often use it during their ceremonies. Rastafarian music, which is also known as reggae, is an important part of their culture. It helps to spread their message of peace and love to the world.

The Reggae Culture

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.

Reggae is based on a rhythmic style characterized by Regular strumming or picking of an electric guitar and electric bass often referred to as downstrokes with drums keeping time on the “off beat” or “beat 3”. Reggae usually relates news, social gossip, and stories about love, broken hearts especially of lost loves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that Riding West: Reggae is First Priority Music is an excellent album that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the genre. The album features some of the most popular and talented artists in the business, and it is sure to please even the most discerning listener. If you are looking for an album that will make you want to get up and dance, then this is the one for you.