Reggae
Reggae is a
music genre developed in
Jamaica. Reggae may be used in a broad sense to refer to most types of
Jamaican music, including
ska,
rocksteady and
dub.The term is generally used to distinguish a particular style that originated in the late
1960s. The two sub-genres of reggae are roots reggae (the original reggae) and dancehall reggae which originates in the late 70s. Reggae is founded upon a
rhythm style which is characterized by regular chops on the
back beat, known as the "skank", played by a
rhythm guitarist, and a bass drum hitting on the third beat of each measure, known as "one drop." Characteristically, this beat is slower than in reggae's precursors, ska and rocksteady. Reggae is often associated with the
Rastafari movement, which influenced many prominent reggae musicians in the
1970s and
1980s. However, the subject matter of reggae songs deals with many subjects other than Rastafari, with love songs, sexual themes and broad social commentary being particularly well represented.
See also Music of JamaicaIts origins can be found in traditional
African Caribbean music as well as
US R&B.
Ska and
rocksteady are
1960s precursors of reggae. In
1963,
Jackie Mittoo, pianist with the ska band
The Skatalites was asked to run sessions and compose original music by record producer
Coxsone Dodd at his
Studio One record studio. Mittoo, with the help of drummer Lloyd Knibbs, turned the traditional ska beat into reggae, slowing the rhythm down in the process.
Bob Marley, who popularized reggae worldwide, also recorded rocksteady records early in his
career. By the late 1960s reggae was already getting radio play in the
UK on
John Peel's radio show.
It is thought that the word "Reggae" was first used by the
Ska group
Toots and the Maytals, who coined the phrase in the title of their hit
Do the Reggay in
1968. Other stories claim that the term came from the word "streggae", a slang jamaican term for a prostitute, or that it originated from the term Regga which was a bantu speaking tribe from lake tanganyika.
In Jamaica however, new styles are nowadays becoming more popular, among them,
dancehall and
ragga (also known as raggamuffin). Mixing techniques employed in
dub, an instrumental sub-style of reggae, influenced
hip hop,
drum and bass and other styles. The
toasting or dee jaying first used by artists such as
U-Roy and
Dillinger had a world-wide impact because Jamaican DJ
Kool Herc used them as he pioneered a new style that subsequently became hip hop or
rap music. In the Jamaican sense of the word, a "DJ" is an "MC" or
rapper, whereas the term "DJ" describes the music selector in the
U.S.. Therefore what is called
dee jaying,
toasting or
chatting in Jamaica is called
rapping in most other parts of the
world. In Jamaica the term Dee - Jay or the Dj is called the selector.
Roots is the name given to specifically Rastafarian reggae music. It is a spiritual type of music, whose lyrics are predominantly in praise of
Jah (God).
Recurrent lyrical themes include poverty and resistance to government oppression. The creative pinnacle of roots reggae is arguably in the late
1970s, with singers such as
Burning Spear,
Johnny Clarke,
Horace Andy,
Barrington Levy, and
Lincoln Thompson teaming up with studio producers including
Lee 'Scratch' Perry,
King Tubby, and
Coxsone Dodd. The experimental pioneering of such producers within often restricted technological parameters gave birth to
dub music, and is seen by some music historians as one of the earliest (albeit analogue) contributions to the development of
techno.
Roots reggae was an important part of
Jamaican culture, and whilst other forms of reggae have become more popular in Jamaica (Dancehall for instance), roots reggae has found a small, but growing, niche globally.
One of the main themes of reggae music has been social liberation. This has both political and religious aspects.
Political awakening
The music attempts to raise the political consciousness of the audience:
The American dreamIs not what it seem.Why do you slumber? (
Jimmy Cliff, "American Dream" 1983)
Alternatives to orthodox religious dogma
It also militates for freedom from religious delusion:
Most people thinkGreat God will come from the skyTake away everythingAnd make everybody feel highBut if you know what life is worthYou would look for yours on earthAnd now you see the lightSo stand up for your right. (
Bob Marley,
Peter Tosh, "
Get Up, Stand Up")
Freedom of religious expression
Repression of many kinds, and especially repression linked with the prohibition of ganja (
marijuana), which is considered a sacrament by Rastafarians, is another recurring theme in the music.
Quite a few of the most common themes found in reggae music have been viewed as controversial by many members of the public at various times. The most controversial of these themes have traditionally been the promotion of
cannabis use and the promotion of homophobic views. Other views prevalent in reggae music which have been the source of controversy at various times include black/african militancy, misogyny, criticism of
colonialisation, anti-poverty, criticism of political systems, criticism of
racism and criticism of the colonial education system. Some of these themes, like marijuana use, have been prevalent in reggae music throughout the recorded and un-recorded history of the music, whilst others, such as homophobia, are a more recent phenomenon relative to the history of reggae.
Cannabis
The promotion of the use of cannabis through both lyrics, images and lifestyle has been a staple of reggae since its inception. The prominence of marijuana use in reggae primarily stems from reggae music's origin as music derived from the musical tradition of the rastafarian religion, a religion within which marijuana use is considered a sacrament. The controversy surrounding marijuana in Reggae has increased in proportion to the increased unacceptibility of marijuana in general society. For example Bob Marley's famous
Catch a Fire album cover showing him smoking a
spliff was controversial at the time the album was first issued primarily for its novelty. That the album cover was issued at all indicates some difference in society's views at the time, and such an album cover would never be issued by a major record label today.
Peter Tosh was also renowned for his promotion of cannabis use and lobbied for the decriminalization of marijuana. His most famous song is titled "Legalize It". Tosh was imprisoned multiple times in Jamaica for marijuana possession (Jamaica, incidentally, has some of the harshest anti-marijuana laws in the world) and often performed with a spliff in hand.
Homophobia
Dancehall has come under increased criticism from both Jamaican and international organizations for
homophobic themes and lyrics. Many believe dancehall music has prompted or incited instances of
gay bashing.
Anti-homosexual or
homophobic themes have been associated with dancehall music throughout its history. To some degree, these themes stem from the anti-homosexual, though not necessarily violent, sentiment towards homosexuality of Jamaicans in general, as well as traditional
Christian or
Biblical views towards
homosexuality. Homosexual activity is illegal in Jamaica (see
LGBT rights in Jamaica) as well as in most former British colonies in the Caribbean.
Homophobic lyrics have been described by
J-FLAG, a Jamaican
gay rights organization, as one aspect of "widespread cultural bias against homosexuals and bisexuals." Many of the affected artists hold the opinion that such legal or commercial sanctions are essentially an attack against the artists'
freedom of speech.
The increased criticism of dancehall music by international organizations is often attributed to the increased international exposure of the music; see
Sean Paul especially with regards to international media and the Internet. Dancehall has always included themes not only of homophobia, but of violence, sexism, and
misogyny as well, which have come under their share of criticism.
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Reggae Festival GuideJamaican reggae music festivals
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Reggae Sunsplash,
Ocho Rios,
Jamaica,
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Reggae Sumfest,
Montego Bay,
JamaicaInternational reggae music festivals
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Soča Reggae Riversplash,
Tolmin,
Slovenia,
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Notting Hill Carnival,
London,
UK*
Uppsala Reggae Festival,
Sweden*
List of reggae musicians*
List of Jamaican record producers*
List of genres of reggae*
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Ska/Reggae Record Charts - Jamaican Record Charts
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Article - Psalms in Rasta lyrics
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Dancecrasher.co.uk*
Radio ReggaeTrade - Streaming Reggae 24/7
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Roots-archives.com - Reggae database
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Skrewfacesound.com - Formerly Skrewface.mp3.ms, the pioneer of Reggae streaming
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Reggae-News.net - International Reggae News
