Who Plays Reggae Music Today?
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Reggae music has been around for decades, and it’s still as popular as ever. But who are the reggae artists making music today? Here’s a look at some of the biggest names in the genre.
The History of Reggae
Reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “raggedy,” which was used to describe the poor, downtrodden condition of the Jamaican people. Reggae music is characterized by a heavy bass, a four-on-the-floor drumbeat, and a snare drum that is played on the off-beat. The music is also often accompanied by a guitar or piano.
Where Reggae Came From
Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae,” effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.
Reggae is based on a rhythmic style that is bounce-based, with accents on the off-beat. Reggae is noted for its tradition of criticism of government and religion, which originally arose from Rastafarianism. Many reggae songs discuss summertime; others celebrate upon Jamaican festivals such as Emancipation Day, while others simply take pride in Jamaican culture and heritage. By 1972, reggae funk and dub were already established as supporting genres as well as partake in their own development.
The Spread of Reggae
Reggae’s international spread was given a significant boost by the enormous success of Bob Marley in the 1970s. His mode of singing—the smooth, crooning delivery he called “milk and honey”—was imitated by many other artists, helping to make reggae acceptable to mainstream pop audiences. The lower-tech up-tempo style known as dancehall also became increasingly popular in Jamaica in the 1980s… By the 1990s, reggae had undergone yet another metamorphosis. Hip-hop’s influence was now being felt, and performers such as Super Cat, Capleton, and Buju Banton were fusing the two genres—a phenomenon given added impetus when American rappers began borrowing Jamaican dancehall slang.
The Sound of Reggae
Reggae music has its roots in Jamaica, and is a genre that is now enjoyed by people all over the world. The sound of reggae is unique, and the lyrics often have a message of peace and love. Reggae music is enjoyed by people of all ages, and is a great way to relax and enjoy yourself.
The Instruments of Reggae
Reggae music is typically played on two guitars, a bass, drums, and keyboard. The electric guitar and the bass play the same role as in other styles of music, providing the main melody and harmonic accompaniment, respectively. However, the rhythm guitar has a more important role in reggae than in other genres; it often plays “riffs” or repetitive melodic phrases that provide the background against which the lead instruments solo. The drummer usually plays a “one drop” beat (straight four beats on the snare drum) or a “rockers” beat (two beats on the snare with an emphasis on the backbeat). The sound of reggae is credited to Jamaican engineer Osbourne Ruddock, aka King Tubby. He pioneered studio techniques such as overdubbing, delay effects such as echo and reverb, equalization and sound separation.
The Influences on Reggae
Reggae’s direct predecessors were ska and rocksteady, and the immediate ragga predecessors are ’80s digital dancehall and toasting (or “MCing”) tracks. These earlier styles typically consisted of musical accompaniment by drums, bass guitar, electric guitar and horns – playing simple one- or two-bar phrases that were repeated throughout the song. The toaster would often add improvised exhortations to the backing rhythm – these vocals were replete with decriminalized patois and double entendres, which became one of reggae’s trademarks.
The Artists of Reggae
Reggae music was first popularized in the 1960s by artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. Reggae music has since evolved and is now popular with a new generation of artists. Some of the most popular reggae artists today include Damian Marley, Ziggy Marley, and Shaggy.
The Originators
Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae”, effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican danceable music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae has spread to many countries across the world, often incorporating local instruments and fusing with other genres.
The Second Wave
The second wave of artists to bring reggae to a wider audience started in the late 1970s and included British acts like Steel Pulse, Aswad, and UB40, as well as Jamaican artists like Third World and Inner Circle. The second wave also saw the rise of toasters, or DJ’s, who would talk over the music (“toasting”), often in a rhythmic, rhyming style. Toasting became an integral part of the reggae sound.DJs like Jah Thomas, I-Roy, and Big Youth helped to popularize this style of reggae.
In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a third wave of reggae artists who mixed other genres with reggae to create new sounds. These artists include British act Massive Attack and Jamaican artist Shaggy.
Today, there are hundreds of reggae artists all over the world keeping this music alive.
The New Generation
The new generation of reggae artists is keeping the music alive and fresh, while paying homage to the legends who came before them. Here are some of the most exciting up-and-comers in the reggae scene today.
Protoje: This Jamaican singer/songwriter is leading the charge for a new wave of conscious reggae. His lyrics are socially conscious and often address issues like police brutality and racial injustice. He frequently collaborates with fellow new-generation artistes like Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid.
Chronixx: Another Jamaican artist making waves in the reggae scene, Chronixx is known for his spiritually-charged lyrics and laid-back, laidback sound. He often cites Bob Marley as one of his biggest influences, and you can hear echoes of Marley’s style in Chronixx’s music.
Kabaka Pyramid: A protégé of Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid is a youthful artist with a fresh take on reggae. His music blends elements of hip hop and reggae, creating a unique sound that is all his own. Kabaka Pyramid is also known for his positive and uplifting lyrics, which often promote messages of peace and love.
