Friday 22 January 2016

Essay: History of Reggae

    Reggae is a popular music genre in Jamaica. Jamaican music has a rich history. The name Reggae was created in 1960. The name is identified as a "ragged" style of dance moves  (Scaruffi). Reggae is one of the world's living music traditions (Sherman). Reggae was developed in Jamaica but was not completely developed in Jamaica. It has roots in Africa, and America (New Orleans rhythm'n'blues). It was developed with a style of chanting and emphasized the syncopated beats. When compared to Rock music; Reggae inverts the roles of the guitarist as well as the bassist's role (Scaruffi).
    Reggae is created by using the artist's experience, emotions, and traditions. Reggae Is an emotional outlet in Jamaica. The artists put their pride and soul into making a song. For many artists Reggae is their way of life. To many Reggae is entertainment for the soul. It can be used as a social force that can portray the pressures of everyday life into a powerful message. Politicians have been known to use Reggae to draw crowds towards them (Sherman). Reggae has strong connections to Rastafarians which is a common religion in Jamaica (History)
    Before Reggae there were different types of music like the precursor to Reggae which was Ska (Scaruffi). Reggae has similar properties with Ska like the walking bass lines with off beats by pianos and guitars. Reggae Is very recognizable because of the heavy backbeated rhythm (this means the second and fourth beat will be emphasized when playing a 4/4 time) (History). The different phases of music that lead up to Reggae like Ska lasted for six years from 1960 - 1966.Rocksteady was popular for two years lasting from 1966 - 1968, Reggae had a 14 year lifespan of main popularity from 1969 - 1983. Now Reggae is called Dancehall which is played in Dancehalls (which are basically adult clubs). Reggae has two meanings. The first meaning or the generic meaning is the name of all popular Jamaican music since 1960. The second meaning refers to a particular beat that was mainly popular from 1969 to early 1980s. Now modern Jamaican music is called Dub or Ragga. Reggae has been through many changes including the names and styles, but the one part that will never change is the message in the songs (Sherman).
    Reggae is an amazing genre of music because it has the power of bringing people together. It has a global audience. Every country has had its share of listening to Reggae. Many liberation movements have used Reggae as a source of inspiration. Many famous Reggae singers have been honored at ceremonies. For instance, Bob Marley was honored at the Zimbabwe 1980 independence march because of his inspiring music. There are many examples of Reggae bringing people together. An example of this is when the Berlin Wall fell people were singing a Reggae song for hours and hours; the song was "Three Little Birds"
Because of Reggae, Jamaica has gained its place in the presence of the Global music industry and pop culture (Sherman).
    To some US & UK listeners some of the lyrics in Reggae songs are not understandable because the Reggae artists are using Jamaican slang or referring to Rastafarian concepts.  Reggae has risen to international acclaim through the music, and also through the movie "The Harder They Come". Reggae also became popular because of Bob Marley, one of the most loved and famous Reggae artists. Bob Marley began in a  Rocksteady band, The Wailers, in 1963. Then in the climax of his career in 1977 his solo album "Exodus" was released. Bob Marley's music was first popularized in the western world by a cover of his song "Who Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton (History).


Scaruffi, Piero. "A History of Reggae Music." A History of Reggae Music. 2002. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://www.scaruffi.com/history/reggae.html>.

Sherman, Matthew. "THE DREAD LIBRARY." The Rise of Reggae, and the Influence of Toots and the Maytals. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <https://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/sherman.html>.

"History of Reggae - The Reggaskas." The Reggaskas History of Reggae Comments. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://thereggaskas.com/useful-information/history-of-reggae/>

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