What Style of Music Was Created by Slowing Down the Reggae Beat?

Reggae music is often associated with a laid-back, chilled-out vibe. But what happens when you slow down the reggae beat?

In this blog post, we take a look at the style of music that was created by slowing down the reggae beat. We also explore the origins of this style of music and some of the key artists who have popularized it.

The Slowed-Down Reggae Beat

Slowed-down reggae, or dub, was created in the 1970s by Jamaican sound engineers who slowed down the reggae beat to create a new style of music. This new style of music was often used as the background music for Jamaican toastmasters, who would talk over the music. Dub music often has a heavy bass line and echo effects.

The Birth of Slowed-Down Reggae

The slowed-down reggae beat was born in the early 1970s, when Jamaican producers began slowing down the tempo of existing reggae recordings to make them more suitable for dancing. The result was a new style of music that came to be known as slow reggae or sometimes dub reggae.

Slow reggae became very popular in Jamaica, and it soon spread to other parts of the world, including the UK, where it was embraced by the skinhead and punk subcultures. In the 1980s, slowed-down reggae began to cross over into the mainstream, thanks in part to hit singles like Grace Jones’s “Pull Up to the Bumper” and UB40’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Today, slow reggae is still popular in Jamaica and other parts of the world, and it has also influenced other genres of music, including hip hop and trip hop.

The Rise of Slowed-Down Reggae

In the early 2010s, a new style of reggae music began to emerge in Jamaica. This new style, often referred to as “slowed-down reggae,” was characterized by its slower tempo and more laid-back feel. This sound quickly began to catch on with Jamaican youth, who were drawn to its chilled-out vibe.

Slowed-down reggae soon began to spread beyond Jamaica’s shores, becoming popular in other Caribbean countries and even in North America and Europe. Thanks to the rise of online streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, this new style of reggae has been able to reach a global audience.

There are many different theories about how slowed-down reggae came about. Some say that it was created by DJs who were trying to extend their sets by slowing down the tempo of the music. Others believe that it was inspired by American hip-hop and R&B, which often feature slower tempos than Jamaican reggae. Whatever its origins, there’s no doubt that slowed-down reggae has become a hugely popular style of music in its own right.

The Different Styles of Slowed-Down Reggae

Reggae music originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The genre has its roots in ska and rocksteady. Reggae is typically characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and can be either slow or fast.

Lovers Rock

Lovers rock is a style of reggae that was named after a type of slow, romantic love song that was popular in the 1970s. The style is characterized by its slow, sensual sound and often features lyrics about love and relationships. Lovers rock artists include Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Freddie McGregor.

One Drop

One Drop is a style of reggae that gets its name from the drum pattern that is used. The “one drop” is simply a single drum beat that falls on the 2nd and 4th beats of a 4-beat measure. This beat gives the music a “skipping” feeling, and it’s often used in fast-paced songs. Because of this, One Drop is sometimes referred to as “fast reggae.”

Dub

Dub is a style of electronic music that developed in the late 1960s. It is characterized by its use of echo and reverb, and its focus on the “bass lines” and “drum patterns” rather than the melody and lyrics. The style was popularized in Jamaica by producers such as Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby, and later exported to the UK, where it was further developed by producers such as Adrian Sherwood.

The Legacy of Slowed-Down Reggae

In the late 1970s, a new style of music emerged in Jamaica that would go on to have a lasting impact on the island’s culture. This style of music, which came to be known as “slowed-down reggae,” was created by slowing down the reggae beat. Slowed-down reggae became popular in the Jamaican nightclubs, and it soon spread to the United States and the rest of the world.

The Influence of Slowed-Down Reggae

Slowed-down reggae, also known as dub, is a style of music that was created by slowing down the original reggae recordings and adding echo and other effects. This style of music became popular in the 1970s and is still revered by reggae fans today. Slowed-down reggae has had a lasting influence on other genres of music, including hip hop and electronic dance music.

The Future of Slowed-Down Reggae

Slowed-down reggae, also known as dub music, has been around since the 1970s. It is created by slowing down the tempo of a song and adding echo and other effects. Dub music is popular in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, as well as in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in dub music, with new artists creating their own spin on the genre. Slowed-down reggae is now being used in all sorts of genres, from pop to hip-hop. It is also being used in advertising and film scores.

The future of slowed-down reggae looks bright. With its chilled-out vibe and catchy beats, it is sure to continue to be popular for many years to come.