The Best of South African Reggae Music

If you’re a fan of South African reggae music, then this is the blog for you! Here you’ll find the latest and greatest hits from some of the best reggae artists in the country.

Introduction

South African reggae has its roots in the country’s history of struggle and resistance. Reggae was introduced to South Africa by Jamaican immigrants in the early twentieth century, and it quickly became popular among black South Africans. Reggae music provided a voice for the black South African community during the years of apartheid, and it continues to be an important part of the country’s musical culture.

There are a number of great South African reggae artists, both past and present. Here are some of the best:

Bob Marley & The Wailers: One of the most famous reggae bands in history, Bob Marley & The Wailers were hugely popular in South Africa during the 1970s and 1980s. Their music is still beloved by many South Africans today.

Lucky Dube: Lucky Dube was a hugely successful South African reggae artist who enjoyed a long and successful career before his untimely death in 2007. His music was deeply rooted in the struggles of the black South African community, and his songs continue to resonate with many people today.

Bunny Wailer: Another member of Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bunny Wailer is a legendary figure in reggae music. He has continued to release solo albums throughout his career, and his music is still popular among South African audiences.

Youssou N’Dour: A Senegalese singer-songwriter who has been hugely successful both in Africa and internationally, Youssou N’Dour is also a talented reggae artist. He has collaborated with a number of other artists over the years, including Peter Gabriel and Sting.

The Birth of Reggae in South Africa

In the early 1970s, a new genre of music started to emerge in South Africa. This new style of music was influenced by Jamaican reggae and was soon known as “mbaqanga reggae”. The first South African reggae song was “Pata Pata”, recorded by Miriam Makeba in 1972.

Mbaqanga reggae quickly became popular, particularly among black South Africans. The genre was used as a form of protest against the apartheid government and its policies of racial segregation. Some of the most famous mbaqanga reggae songs were “Soweto Blues” by Hugh Masekela, “Asimbiko” by Juluka, and “Umqomboti” by Lucky Dube.

In the 1980s, mbaqanga reggae started to decline in popularity, but it has remained an important part of South African music culture. Today, there are many South African artists who continue to produce excellent mbaqanga reggae music.

The Evolution of Reggae in South Africa

The history of reggae in South Africa is a long and complex one, with the genre evolving and adapting to suit the needs of the local population.

Reggae first arrived in South Africa in the early 1970s, via radio stations such as Radio Zulu and Radio Freedom. The music quickly found a home among the country’s black population, who were able to identify with the rebel spirit of reggae.

In the 1980s, reggae began to be used as a tool for political protest, with artists such as Lucky Dube and Brenda Fassie using their music to speak out against the apartheid regime. This era also saw the rise of mbaqanga reggae, a unique fusion of traditional African music and reggae that remains popular to this day.

The 1990s saw a new wave of South African reggae artists emerge, including world-renowned names like Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dube. Reggae continues to be an important part of South African culture, with new artists emerging all the time.

The Best of South African Reggae Music

Lucky Dube

Lucky Dube was a South African reggae musician and Rastafarian. He recorded 22 albums in his career. His album Trinity was nominated for a Grammy Award. He was assassinated in Johannesburg in 2007.

Brenda Fassie

Brenda Fassie was one of the most popular and controversial South African musicians of her time. Born in 1964 in Langa, Cape Town, she began her career as a member of the all-girl group Joy and later joined the band Time 7. Her solo career took off in the 1980s with the release of several hit singles, including “Weekend Special” and “Too Much Happiness.”

Fassie’s career was marked by personal struggles with drugs and alcohol, which eventually led to her untimely death in 2004. But her music continues to be hugely popular in South Africa and beyond, and she is considered one of the country’s most important musical exports.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Yvonne Mnery Sullivan better known by her stage name Yvonne Chaka Chaka, is a South African singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. She is nicknamed the “Princess of Africa”. In her prime she was known as the “War Queen”. Her career has spanned more than three decades. In 2010, The Guardian named her as one of Africa’s 20 strongest women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have looked at the best of South African reggae music. We have examined the origins of the genre, the artists who have shaped it, and the songs that have defined it. We have also looked at the ways in which reggae music has been used to promote social and political change in South Africa. We hope that this guide has given you a greater understanding of this important genre and its impact on South African culture.