What Type of Reggae Music are You Into?

Reggae music is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The music is characterized by its use of the Jamaican patois, as well as by its slow, laid-back rhythms. Reggae music has become popular all over the world, and there are many different subgenres of reggae music to enjoy. So, what type of reggae music are you into?

Reggae Music

Reggae music has been around for many years and has evolved into many different sub-genres. Some of the more popular sub-genres include roots reggae, dub, ska, and rocksteady. If you’re new to the world of reggae, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what type of music you like. In this article, we’ll help you figure out what type of reggae music you’re into.

Ska

Ska is a genre of music that was developed in Jamaica in the 1950s. It is a blend of African, American, and Caribbean music. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line played on the off-beat, horns, and guitar. It is typically played at a fast tempo.

Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Paragons, The Termites, The Melodians and The Hep-Tones. The sound was developed by the backing band the Rhythm Brothers, which featured Slim Smith on lead vocals.

Rocksteady’s laid-back style differed from the earlier ska recordings by the Wailers and other artists who followed them (such as Toots & the Maytals). It employed slower rhythms, new elements of harmony (typically introducing the trombone), and offbeat basslines. The Wailers’ guitarist Peter Tosh and drummer Carlton Barrett used this new style of playing to craft riddims like “Simmer Down” and “Stir It Up”, both of which were hits for the Wailers in 1965-66.

In 1967, rocksteady’s popularity was challenged by a new style of music called reggae, which had been invented by singer-songwriter Bob Marley. Marley’s band, the Wailers, helped turn reggae into a world music genre with their innovative songwriting and production technique. Despite its decline in popularity in Jamaica, rocksteady has influenced many other musical genres including ska, punk rock, 2 Tone, dub music and even hip hop.

Reggae

Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae comes from the word “raggedy,” which was used to describe the way musicians played their instruments. Reggae is a very versatile genre of music that can be used for many purposes, including dancing, relaxi

Reggae can be divided into three main categories: roots, dancehall, and lovers rock.

Roots reggae is the original form of reggae music and is known for its conscious lyrics that deal with social and political issues. This type of reggae was popularized by artists such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

Dancehall is a more modern form of reggae that is known for its focus on dancing and having a good time. This type of reggae was popularized by artists such as Sean Paul and Bounty Killer.

Lovers rock is a type of reggae that is focused on love and relationships. This type of reggae was popularized by artists such as Dennis Brown and Beres Hammond.

Reggae Artists

Reggae music has its roots in the island of Jamaica, and is typically characterized by a slow and steady beat. There are many different subgenres of Reggae, each with their own unique sound and style. Some of the more popular Reggae subgenres include Dancehall, Dub, and Ska.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. Starting out in 1963 with the group the Wailers, he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide. The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.

After the Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career upon his relocation to England that culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977. The album became heralded as one of the greatest and most influential works of modern music. Exodus stayed on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks and it included four UK hit singles: “Exodus”, “Waiting in Vain”, “Jamming”, and “One Love”. In 1978, he released the album Kaya, which included the hit singles “Is This Love” and “Satisfy My Soul”.

Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh, was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of The Wailers and who later established himself as a successful solo artist. Tosh was born in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica. He left school at an early age and began working on plantations. When he was 19 years old he moved to Trenchtown in Kingston, where he started his music career.

Tosh first recorded with The Wailers in 1964, when he provided backing vocals and percussion for the group on their debut album, The Wailing Wailers. He recorded several more albums with The Wailers over the next few years, including the landmark albums Catch a Fire (1972) and Burnin’ (1973).

In 1974 Tosh embarked on a solo career with the release of his debut album, Legalize It. This was followed by a number of successful albums, including Equal Rights (1977), Bush Doctor (1978), and No Nuclear War (1987). Tosh also found success as a collaborator, working with artists such as Mick Jagger, Carlos Santana, and Stevie Wonder.

In September 1987 Tosh was shot and killed during a robbery at his home in Kingston. His murder remains unsolved.

Bunny Wailer

Bunny Wailer, born Neville O’Riley Livingston, is a Jamaican singer songwriter and percussionist and was an original member of reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. A three-time Grammy award winner, he is considered one of the longtime standard-bearers of reggae music.
Wailer began his professional career as part of The Wailers in 1963. His role as percussionist brought him into frequent contact with Marley, and he joined Marley and Peter Tosh on their first trip to the United States in December 1963.
The two Wailers Danger Zone and Surrounded by Sharks were originally recorded without Wailer’s input or participation but were later included on the 2006 album Walk the Proud Land. His disagreements with former bandmate Marley about business decisions led to his leaving The Wailers in 1974; he founded Solomonic Records in 1975, releasing his debut solo album Black Heart Man that same year.
He has performed songs by other artists including Bob Dylan (“The Times They Are A-Changin'” on Tribute to the Reggae Martyrs) as well as his own interpretations of Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” (on Crying for Love) and Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me” (on Dance).

Reggae Songs

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 rough sound of the music. Reggae is often characterized by a 4/4 time signature, off-beat rhythms, and a lot of syncopation.

“No Woman, No Cry”

“No Woman, No Cry” is a reggae song by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The song first appeared on the 1974 album Natty Dread. The live version of the song recorded in 1975 at the Lyceum Theatre, London, was released as a single in the UK in 1977, reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

The lyric of “No Woman, No Cry” has often been interpreted as Marley’s way of comforting a girlfriend who is crying over her problems. The woman mentioned in the song could also be interpreted as Africa, which is often referred to as a “mother” by people from the African diaspora.

“Get Up, Stand Up”

“Get Up, Stand Up” is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It is the opening track on their 1973 album Burnin’. The song was written in response to the situations in which Marley and the Wailers found themselves upon returning to Jamaica. In particular, it was a protest against apartheid and racism. The song urges its listeners to “get up, stand up: stand up for your rights”. It has been described as an anthem of resistance and one of the most popular reggae songs of all time.

“I Shot the Sheriff”

I Shot the Sheriff is a song written and recorded by Bob Marley in 1973. The song was included on the Wailers’ album Burnin’, and became a hit in 1974, reaching the top 10 in several countries. The song helped to make Marley a worldwide star. In 2001, the song was ranked number 375 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.