When Did Reggae Music Become Popular?
Reggae music has been around for decades, but it only became widely popular in the 1970s. Thanks to artists like Bob Marley, reggae music has become a global phenomenon. But what exactly made it so popular?
Introduction
Reggae music first became popular in the 1970s, when it spread from its native Jamaica to other countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The genre’s characteristic laid-back sound and positive vibes made it an instant hit with audiences of all ages, and its popularity has only grown in the decades since. Thanks to its wide appeal, reggae music has been embraced by artists from all over the world, resulting in a truly global phenomenon.
The Early Days of Reggae
Reggae music first gained international attention in the late 1960s, with the release of Bob Marley’s album “Catch a Fire” in 1971. Marley and his band, The Wailers, went on to release a string of hits including “No Woman No Cry,” ” Exodus” and “One Love.” The popularity of Marley’s music helped spread the popularity of reggae throughout the world.
Other artists who helped bring reggae to a global audience include Jimmy Cliff, who starred in and recorded the soundtrack for The Harder They Come, a 1972 film that portrayed the life of a struggling Jamaican musician; and Peter Tosh, who collaborated with Marley on The Wailers’ album “Burnin'” and went on to have a successful solo career.
In the 1980s, reggae experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of dancehall music, which is a faster, more energetic style of reggae. Dancehall artists like Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killer found success both in Jamaica and internationally. In the 1990s and 2000s, reggae continued to evolve with the addition of elements from other genres such as hip hop, R&B and even country music. Artists like Sean Paul, Beenie Man and Lady Saw found crossover success with mainstream audiences.
The Rise of Reggae
Reggae music became popular in the 1960s, after ska and rocksteady had dominated the Jamaican music scene for a few years. Reggae developed from these earlier styles, and it also drew influence from American jazz and rhythm and blues. The first recordings that can be classified as reggae were done in 1968, but it was not until the early 1970s that the style began to gain international attention.
One of the biggest reasons for reggae’s growing popularity was the rise of Jamaican singer Bob Marley. Marley and his band, the Wailers, helped to bring reggae out of Jamaica and into the international spotlight. With hits like “No Woman, No Cry” and “Exodus,” Marley became one of the most famous musicians in the world, and he helped to make reggae one of the most popular music genres.
The Spread of Reggae
Reggae music began to gain popularity in the 1960s, with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and the Maytals becoming internationally known. The genre flourished in Jamaica in the 1970s and soon spread to other countries in the Caribbean, as well as to Britain, Canada, and the United States. In the 1980s and 1990s, reggae artists such as Ziggy Marley, Buju Banton, and Shaggy continued to gain popularity, while new subgenres such as dancehall and ragga emerged.
Reggae Today
In the early 1960s, ska was the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Reggae developed from rocksteady in the late 1960s. The style is characterized by a thick guitar sound, shuffling rhythm and lyrical themes about poverty, inner city life and resistance to Western culture. Reggae became popular in the UK in the late 1970s with groups like Bob Marley & The Wailers and Desmond Dekker. In the 1980s, UK-based Jamaican artists such as Aswad, Steel Pulse and UB40 helped spread reggae to a wider audience.
