Reggae

Reggae

Introduction

The word reggae represents a style of popular music that originated in Ja-

maica in the late 1960s and quickly emerged as the country's dominant music.

By the 1970s it had become an international style that was particularly pop-

ular in Britain, the United States, and Africa. It was widely perceived as a

voice of the oppressed.

Background

Reggae's roots are embedded in the historical conditions of Jamaican slavery

and colonialism. Since the majority of Jamaicans are the descendants of

enslaved Africans it's unsurprising that a number of reggae lyrics deal with

the historical and social upheaval of slavery.

Origins

According to an early denition in The Dictionary of Jamaican English

(1980), reggae is based on ska, an earlier form of Jamaican popular mu-

sic, and employs a heavy four-beat rhythm driven by drums, bass guitar,

electric guitar, and the scraper, a corrugated stick that is rubbed by a plain

stick. Reggae evolved from these roots and bore the weight of increasingly

politicized lyrics that addressed social and economic injustice.

Artists

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a man that lived a life with a mission. Although

his journey may have seemed impossible, his never-ending strength and ded-

ication caused many peoples dreams and wishes to become realities. Garvey

is considered a prophet by his followers, because of the inspiration he brought

to the black race. Even after his death, his message is still alive in reggae

music and his actions have greatly impacted the black race.

1

Bob Marley

One of the few major faces of minority religious sects, Robert Nesta Marley,

has become the face of reggae and of Rastafari. His own brand of African

rock and reggae music reached out to people all over the world and had great

impact on the religious movement as a whole.

Others

The list of important names in the evolution of reggae music includes Toots

Hibbert, Peter Tosh or Bunny Wailer.

Rastafari

Rastafarianism is a religion that is very common among Jamaicans of African

descent. Many of the world's most famous reggae musicians practice this

religion, and therefore many reggae lyrics re

ect the beliefs and traditions of

Rastafarianism.

Social and cultural impact

Reggae music is an important means of transporting vital messages of Rasta-

farianism. Reggae's message crosses international borders and deals with

themes that cut across all aspects of humanity. Reggae evokes