When Did Reggae Music Become Popular?

Reggae music has been popular for many years, but it really started to gain mainstream attention in the 1970s. Learn more about the history of this genre and how it continues to be popular today.

The Origins of Reggae

Reggae music became popular in the 1960s, but its origins can be traced back to the late 1950s in Jamaica. Some of the earliest reggae songs were recorded by artists such as The Skatalites and Prince Buster. Reggae was initially strongly influenced by American rhythm and blues.

Ska

Originating in Jamaica in the 1960s, ska was the precursor to reggae. It was a product of the island’s many cultures coming together: African rhythms combined with R&B, jazz, and mento (a Jamaican folk music). The result was a new sound that was fast, jerk-like, and invigorating. Ska quickly became popular among working-class Jamaicans.

The earliest ska recordings were made in the late 1950s by people like Clement Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid. But it wasn’t until the 1962 hit “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie Small that ska really broke into the mainstream. From there, it spread to other parts of the world, particularly England, where it helped fuel the mod movement. By the 1970s, though, ska had largely been replaced by reggae as Jamaica’s main musical export.

Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in 1966. The term rocksteady comes from a style of dancing called “rocking”, which was popular at the time. Rocksteady was the immediate predecessor of reggae and the two genres are often confused.

Rocksteady was produced by Jamaican record producers who were trying to mimic the sound of American soul music. The most famous of these producers was Duke Reid, whose hits included “My Boy Lollipop” and “Green Onions”.

Reggae is a developed form of rocksteady, which itself developed from ska and mento. Reggae is characterized by a slow, offbeat bass guitar rhythm and accents on the offbeat. Rocksteady typically has more horns and less guitar than reggae.

The first rocksteady song is generally considered to be “Hold Me Tight” by Alton Ellis, which was released in 1966. The song “Real Rock” by The Paragons is also considered to be an important early rocksteady song.

The Rise of Reggae

Reggae music started to become popular in the 1960s, with artists such as Bob Marley becoming international superstars. The genre is a unique mix of African and Caribbean music, and its popularity has only grown in recent years. Let’s take a look at the history of reggae music and how it became the phenomenon it is today.

The Wailers

Reggae music first became popular in the late 1960s, when a band called the Wailers rose to fame. The Wailers, who were led by singer Bob Marley, were one of the most successful reggae bands of all time. They popularized a style of reggae called roots reggae, which is characterized by its focus on social and political themes.

The Wailers’ success helped to bring reggae into the mainstream, and the genre has remained popular ever since. In the 1970s and 1980s, other well-known reggae artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, and Ziggy Marley (Bob Marley’s son) continued to find success with audiences around the world.

Today, reggae is enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. It has also inspired many other genres of music, including dancehall, dub, and ska.

Bob Marley

Few artists have had as profound an impact on a genre of music as Bob Marley had on reggae. Born in 1945, Marley grew up in Nine Mile, a small village in the hills of St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. As a teenager, he moved to the Kingston neighborhood of Trench Town, where he found camaraderie and musical inspiration in the local Rastafarian movement. It was there that Marley met Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, who would go on to form the core of The Wailers, one of the most influential groups in Jamaican history.

The Legacy of Reggae

Reggae music first became popular in the 1970s, when it spread from its Jamaican origins to the rest of the world. Reggae’s popularity was due in part to its message of peace, love, and unity, which resonated with people of all cultures. The music was also catchy and easy to dance to. Today, reggae is still popular, and its influence can be heard in many other genres of music.

Reggae in the 21st Century

While reggae may not be as commercially successful as it once was, the genre continues to enjoy a devoted following around the world. In recent years, a new generation of reggae artists has emerged, carrying on the legacy of the music and keeping it alive for future generations.

One of the most popular reggae artists today is Jamaican-born singer-songwriter Marley Solomom. His music is a mix of reggae, Hip Hop, and R&B, and he has been credited with helping to introduce the genre to a new generation of fans.

Other popular reggae artists include Ziggy Marley (son of Bob Marley), Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley (another son of Bob Marley), and Etana. These artists are keeping the spirit of reggae alive and helping to ensure that the music continues to thrive in the 21st century.