Reggae music has long featured religious undertones. Bob Marley was an integral figure in spreading Rastafarian ideas to audiences worldwide.
Songs from this era often depicted Black people as the true Israelites struggling against Babylon, deifying Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia as Jah, and advocating the sacredness of marijuana (ganja).
1. It is a form of worship
Reggae music was initially created in Jamaica during the late 1960s. Soon thereafter, it quickly established itself as the dominant musical style in that nation and soon spread worldwide, including Britain, America, and beyond. Reggae’s success is often linked with spiritual significance. At that time, music became associated with Rastafarian movement which advocated for African diaspora members to move back home as well as use ganja (marijuana). Furthermore, Rastafarians also advocated equal rights and justice. Kumina, an earlier Jamaican religious tradition that ritualized communication with ancestors, draws heavily upon this form of music with its heavy beat and instrumental structure that includes guitar, bass guitar, drums and a snare drum.
Reggae music has quickly become an international phenomenon since its beginnings in Jamaica’s most rural and impoverished communities. At first, reggae served as an effective medium to convey messages about Black consciousness and anticolonial activism from rastafarian rastas (rastafaris). But over time it evolved into an act of prayer through its “livity” principles – locking long hair back in its natural state while dressing in colors representing herbs, royalty, Africanity etc.; eating an I-tal (natural vegetarian diet); eating an I-tal (natural vegetarian diet); participating in all-night drumming ceremonies known as “bingis”.
Bob Marley and the Wailers, Third World, Black Uhuru and Burning Spear were all heavily influenced by Rastafari-influenced reggae music, particularly when combined together. Many reggae songs praise Jah or Allah and denounce Babylon while criticizing sociopolitical injustices such as racism and slavery in society.
Reggae music incorporates religious themes as well as multiple styles, such as ska, rocksteady and dub. Reggae also draws heavily from Jamaican history and culture – often described as a song of exile with lyrics describing their history and struggles – with lyrics often reflecting upon Jamaican life itself.
In the 1990s, roots reggae experienced a revival. This period is often noted by female reggae artists such as Queen Ifrika, Hempress Sativa, Etana and Koffee; all four artists challenged Rastafari’s patriarchal ideology while championing women’s agency and calling for an increased global perspective.
2. It is a form of social activism
Reggae music has long been used as an outlet for social activism, carrying messages of peace, love, and equality. Reggae music has been adopted by political movements such as Black Lives Matter and Jamaicans for Justice; religious groups such as Rastafari also often utilize its message.
Reggae emerged during Jamaica’s rising sociopolitical tensions of the early 1970s. Street violence, unemployment and poverty, political oppression – these issues all served to heighten tension. Reggae artists at that time were heavily influenced by Rastafari movements that promoted migration back to Africa as well as revered Haile Selassie I’s Ethiopian Empire while using cannabis (ganja) ceremonially to connect with ancestral spirits.
Reggae songs of that era often condemned government corruption, poverty and oppression; its message of freedom and equality resonated across the world, particularly Third World countries where its songs of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh became an anthem for their struggles as disenfranchised individuals.
Today, reggae continues to serve as an outlet for social activism and self-expression. Many contemporary artists who produce reggae incorporate spiritual elements into their music – this trend can especially be found with Christian reggae artists like Clive Tennors, Hopeton Lewis, Junor Tucker Sanchez Hempress Sativa Koffee.
Popular artists have also been affected by this movement, such as singer Matisyahu who incorporates Jewish themes into his reggae music. He has performed at several events such as New York’s Global Citizen Festival as well as released multiple albums. He has garnered widespread acclaim and been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts, while his musical skills have inspired other artists to explore this genre; leading to its international popularity. Gospel music has long been recognized as an uplifting form of musical expression, making it the ideal medium for religious people looking to communicate their beliefs and ideals through song. Furthermore, its popularity also allows individuals to form bonds between each other by finding common ground through this genre.
3. It is a form of self-expression
Reggae music from Jamaica incorporates religious themes with social criticism, making it one of the most beloved forms of Jamaican music. Reggae beats are typically 4/4 rhythmic in nature. Furthermore, reggae has long had political activism as part of its heritage. Reggae music has long been used as an outlet to protest apartheid, colonialism and other injustices; moreover it can even serve as a form of prayer; its lyrics often address religion, love and personal matters. Reggae has become immensely popular worldwide including the US; it influenced hip-hop development along with other popular genres of music like R&B; it has even become the music style used by some spiritual groups that use reggae beats in their chants.
Early reggae music was inspired by traditional ska rhythm. From this evolved rocksteady music with slower beats and more romantic lyrics. This musical genre became immensely popular in late 1960s and early 1970s.
Roots reggae became closely associated with Rastafari, an ideology which promotes migration of black people from America to Africa and worship of Haile Selassie I (Jah). Rastafari promotes religious use of marijuana. Roots reggae was popularized by Toots and the Maytals band members under this label known as Rastafari music.
Roots reggae expresses Jamaican culture and heritage through its songs. Influenced by Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Association philosophies of calling on blacks to renounce subjugation in North America by returning home in Africa, many Jamaican artists like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs wrote songs which echo these sentiments.
In the 1980s, dancehall deejays began politicizing their performances by rapping over instrumental tracks. This practice eventually led to hip-hop music derived from Jamaican reggae’s message of liberation and freedom that resonated across several generations of Jamaicans and black people from Atlantic world nations; they provided many with identity and self-worth in Jamaican communities worldwide.
4. It is a form of community building
Music can be an effective form of socialization and community building. Furthermore, music serves to convey ideas and affirm values – Reggae music serves this function well; with its longstanding history of expressing particular social stances such as freedom, crusades, human rights struggles and marginalized musicians often becoming its hallmark identity rather than acting as an obstacle in spreading reggae further. Furthermore, its artists come from varied cultural backgrounds leading to an even richer genre that connects deeply to its history and cultural location.
Roots reggae is an expression of Rastafari faith’s anti-imperialist and anticolonialist views, reflecting their anti-imperialist and anticolonialist ideals in its music and lyrics. While often discussing social injustice and oppression, roots reggae also has songs discussing more lighthearted topics such as love or socializing with peers. Furthermore, many roots reggae songs promote cannabis (otherwise known as herb, ganja or sinsemilla) which is considered sacred by Rastafarism faith.
This genre has contributed significantly to community building by encouraging social change and unity among African-Americans, building Jamaica’s image as an island of peace and harmony, encouraging young people to explore their roots and heritage; something especially essential in an environment like Jamaica with so many ethnic groups and religions present.
Reggae music should only be consumed in moderation as its addictive qualities and associated side effects such as depression and anxiety can become overwhelming. If this is the case for you, reconsider your relationship to this genre – perhaps getting help from friends, family members or counselors may help in addition to taking up something such as gardening or painting as hobbies can provide something positive to focus on which will help bring life back on track as well as make you more positive overall.