In the 1960s, Jamaican R&B and jazz riffs mixed with African folk music to form ska. By 1966, this style had fused with soul music to become rocksteady, which eventually evolved into reggae.
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1. Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s music has long been an icon of reggae culture. His fame remains widespread today and his music is played all around the globe. His eclectic musical style and eventual conversion to Rastafarianism made him an international figure; today, he remains one of the best-selling artists ever.
His first hits came as part of a band formed with his brothers Neville Livingston and Peter Tosh known as the Wailers, who were heavily influenced by American rock and roll but developed their own Jamaican sound that became their trademark sound. They recorded several albums including “Judge Not” and “One Cup of Coffee”, both composed using rural maxims learned from their grandfathers.
The movie The Harder They Come was released in 1973, and Eric Clapton’s rendition of “I Shot the Sheriff” catapulted them to international stardom. Their 1976 release “Rastaman Vibration” stayed on charts for 56 weeks; due to increased political violence in Jamaica this success led to an attempt on Marley’s life which ultimately caused him to relocate to England where he produced “Exodus” and other successful albums.
Though his career was cut short due to a recurrence of cancer, he left an enduring legacy. His songs not only featured reggae sounds but also sent out messages of love and freedom – not only did he write hit recordings but he was an activist for Rastafarian movement against slavery and racism; additionally he is buried in Kingston Jamaica as one of most beloved musicians ever and an icon for peace and unity who will live on in fans around the globe.
2. Toots and the Maytals
The Maytals began as ska musicians before quickly progressing through rocksteady and eventually reggae in the late ’60s. Their 1968 release “Do the Reggay” is widely credited with popularizing reggae as we know it today; its title itself lends credence to this claim; in essence it pays homage to Otis Redding classics (Toots Hibbert was one of only a few Jamaicans close to Otis during his lifetime)!
Country and western music was an influential form of expression on island musicians before Jamaica achieved global renown; artists like Brook Benton and Jim Reeves, in particular. Toots and the Maytals’ cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” is one example of how its melodies blend well with reggae rhythms.
Toots and the Maytals had already established an impressive Jamaican fan base by the time they recorded their first album for Chris Blackwell’s Island Records in 1971, with “Monkey Man” and “Pressure Drop” featured prominently in Jimmy Cliff’s 1972 movie, The Harder They Come. International popularity soon followed.
Toots and the Maytals enjoyed great popularity in Jamaica but in America their fan base remained more of a lively cult than anything else until mid-’80s. Producer Zak Starkey launched reggae specialist label Trojan Jamaica in 1976 in hopes that Toots and the Maytals’ live recording Reggae Got Soul would open them up to wider American audiences, but that wasn’t the case.
In 2004, Toots made a high-profile comeback with True Love, featuring rerecordings of some of their classic tracks alongside guest artists including Eric Clapton, No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson – toots’ final project before his death due to cancer in 2020.
3. Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse was one of the most politically engaged Rastafarian bands to emerge from England, combining traditional roots reggae with jazz and Latin music for their 1978 debut Handsworth Revolution, an album which chronicled second-generation black experience during Birmingham’s rise of far-right National Front. Additionally, Ku Klux Klan from this same album addressed racism head on while echoing back the Black Power movement from 1970s.
Assembled in 1975, Handsworth Wood proved an ideal setting to hone their musical chops. Comprised of schoolmates David Hinds (main songwriter/singer), Basil Gabbidon and Ronald McQueen as core members, Alphonso “Fonso” Martin on drums, keyboardist Selwyn “Bumbo” Brown, keyboardist Selwyn “Bumbo” Brown and drummer Steve Nisbett completed the sound. As opening acts for punk and new wave bands such as Clash and Specials their stage show coupled social commentary with humorous imagery as members portrayed archetypes such as vicars or bowler-wearing aristocrats onstage – creating memorable live shows that are still talked about today!
After two singles, Kibudu, Mansetta and Abuku and Nyah Love, Island Records took note and released Caught You as their debut album in 1984. Earth Crises saw them attempt to break into the US market – much to their label’s displeasure as they tried forcing them into pop-reggae territory; nevertheless it contained one anthemic track entitled Not King James Version which made a powerful statement against how certain Bible translations failed to include African history and culture in their texts.
As the ’80s progressed, Steel Pulse gradually added polished synthesizer sounds and elements of dance music and R&B into their work; however, with 2004’s African Holocaust and 2019’s Mass Manipulation releases they returned to their roots, writing songs covering topics ranging from human trafficking to climate change.
4. Alpha Blondy
Jamaica’s spiritual and sometimes politically charged dance music often sent out a powerful message of peace and universal understanding to audiences around the globe. One contemporary star who successfully implemented such ideas into musical practice was Alpha Blondy from Ivory Coast on western Africa’s southern Atlantic shore – singing in French, English, Arabic, Hebrew and his own native Dioula language, this “African Rasta,” as he called himself, once succeeded in soothing military hostilities across West Africa!
Seydou Kone was raised by his grandmother Cherie Coco in Dimbokro, Cote d’Ivoire and showed great care and affection towards her rebellious grandson. Seydou excelled academically at Hunter College and Columbia University’s American Language Program in New York City before dabbling in music at open mikes; eventually moving back home and writing songs when he relocated again in 1974.
Blondy first rose to fame through appearing on an Ivory Coast talent search television show called First Chance and producing his debut album Jah Glory which became an African million-seller. This success established him as a world-class performer and producer, leading him on to release subsequent albums such as Masada (which was sold over 50 countries), Yitzhak Rabin Paris Percy Vision.
Blondy remains an independent man despite his material success, jealously guarding his fortune. He lacks the strength of character and generosity displayed by Fela Kuti who used his wealth to attack Nigerian dictators while supporting an ongoing liberation struggle across Nigeria. While occasionally taking part in political debate, Blondy never displays the same level of conviction or forcefulness seen with Kuti or more responsible rastas such as Tiken Jah Fakoly or Magic System who use their influence for social welfare projects.
5. Jean Watt
People typically think of reggae music as consisting of dreadlocked warblers playing guitars to syncopated beats over an idyllic backdrop of palm trees and chilled vibes, with lyrics about social criticism or religion, yet there are numerous songs which focus on more personal topics such as love.
Jean Watt, known by her nickname Sister Jean, is an extremely multi-talented model, makeup artist and social media influencer who has quickly amassed a massive fan base due to her stunning good looks, amazing creative talents and charismatic persona.
She has earned acclaim as an exceptional leader and mentor for young women in her community. Additionally, she is an outspoken feminist activist committed to gender equality. Furthermore, she provides invaluable support to several charitable organisations and causes.
This quiz will highlight some of the biggest reggae hits from Jamaica during the 1970s and 1980s – a period when Rastafarian roots movement was at its height in Jamaica. Many of these songs also became global hits.
Some artists were popular in both countries; others only charted briefly in either. Many songs became widely recognized outside of Jamaican music scenes; one such tune, Gregory Isaacs’ Night Nurse was an international hit backed by Roots Radics and produced by Wally Badarou.