When Did Reggae Music Begin?
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Reggae music is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “reeb”, which is a Jamaican word for “rags”. Reggae music is characterized by a strong rhythm, and it often has a slow, syncopated beat.
Reggae’s African Roots
Reggae’s African Roots
Reggae music began in the late 1960s in Jamaica. The term reggae was first used to describe a distinctive African-Caribbean style of music that developed from ska and rocksteady. Reggae is often characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and accents on the offbeat. Reggae has its origins in the music of the African diaspora, specifically in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean. Reggae’s African roots are evident in its use of call-and-response vocals, name-dropping, and Rastafarian language.
Reggae’s Jamaican Origins
Reggae music originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The earliest form of the music was known as ska, which combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska developed into rocksteady, a slower and more soulful form of the music, before evolving into reggae in the late 1960s.
Reggae is a music genre that emerged out of rocksteady in the late 1960s. Reggae is characterized by a strong bass line, electric guitar, drums, and horns. The lyrics are often politics- or religion-themed, and many reggae songs are anti-establishment.
The first record to be released as reggae was Toots and the Maytals’ 1968 single “Do the Reggay.” Reggae became popular in Jamaica in the 1970s, and it soon spread to other countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
The Spread of Reggae Music
Reggae music began in the late 1960s in Jamaica. The genre was developed by Jamaican musicians who took elements of ska, rocksteady, and American R&B and jazz, and created a unique sound that quickly gained popularity both in Jamaica and abroad. Reggae’s international appeal began with the release of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ album Catch a Fire in 1973. The album was a huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts and introducing reggae to a wider audience. In the following years, reggae continued to grow in popularity, with artists like Jimmy Cliff, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh achieving mainstream success. Reggae remains popular today, with artists like Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Ziggy Marley carrying on the genre’s legacy.
Reggae’s Influence on Popular Music
Reggae’s influence on popular music is incalculable. The genre has been described as the “first truly global music” because it spread so quickly around the world during its early days in the 1960s and 1970s. Reggae has had an enormous impact on many other genres, including rock, pop, hip hop, and even country. The list of artists who have been influenced by reggae is truly impressive, and includes some of the biggest names in popular music. Here are just a few examples:
The Beatles – The Fab Four were vociferous admirers of reggae, and even recorded a couple of songs in the style (“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “Yellow Submarine”). John Lennon was particularly enamored of the genre, and later collaborated with reggae legend Bob Marley on the song “I Shot the Sheriff.”
The Rolling Stones – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have both cited reggae as a major influence on their music. The Stones even recorded a reggae song of their own, “Too Rude,” which appeared on their 1980 album Emotional Rescue.
Bob Dylan – Dylan’s infatuation with reggae began in the late 1970s, when he collaborated with Jamaican musicians for his album Desire. He later recorded an entire album of reggae covers, dubbed Down in Jamaica.
Michael Jackson – Jackson was a huge fan of reggae, and incorporated elements of the genre into some of his most famous songs, including “Beat It” and “Bad.” He even collaborated with Bob Marley on the posthumous release “Someone Put Your Hand Out.”
These are just a few examples of how deeply ingrained reggae is in popular music. The genre has truly left its mark on the world, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
