Bob Marley and the Wailers’ success in the late 1960s opened up reggae to an international audience. Reggae originated from mento, calypso and Jamaican rhythm and blues known as ska.
Reggae music has long been known for its tradition of social criticism and religiously themed lyrics, as well as personal topics like love and socialization.
Origins
Reggae music from Jamaica has long been part of the international musical landscape. First originating during Jamaica’s transition into independence during the 1960s, when nationalistic pride began growing, reggae quickly spread worldwide as one of its key influencers, inspiring other musical styles like punk and ska as well. Reggae songs also frequently express support for anti-imperialist liberation movements in Africa – reflecting Jamaican artists’ anti-imperialist tendencies.
Toots Hibbert, recently deceased, gave reggae its name when his band, Toots and the Maytals, recorded “Do the Reggay.” Ska and rocksteady had long been popular genres in Jamaica but Hibbert’s version changed its tempo so dancers could follow its rhythm; additionally it also highlighted bass lines.
After Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia visited Jamaica in 1966, it marked an extremely transformative moment in Rastafari religion – which sees Selassie as its messiah – with songs like Desmond Dekker’s 1968 hit, “Israelites”, taking on strong Rastafari motifs such as depicting black people being trapped within modern-day Babylon and praying to Jah (a term used for God).
Reggae music captures both political and daily struggles of Jamaican life in its urban areas, particularly Kingston. A subgenre called dub emerged by recycling and remixing rocksteady and ska songs with Rastafarian messages overlaid on top of them by toaster (a pseudo MC who would speak over the beat with Rastafarian messages over time), ultimately inspiring American hip-hop and dancehall music styles like hip-hop.
Reggae music became increasingly popular throughout the UK during the 1970s, thanks to bands such as Clash, Ruts and Members incorporating its sound. Meanwhile, in America bands like Grateful Dead and Bob Marley helped shape punk music as it gained traction during this same era – featuring musicians wearing dreadlocks while using reggae rhythms in their songs.
Styles
As new musical styles emerge, they usually incorporate multiple influences that help define them. Over time however, genres tend to evolve into new forms or merge with other styles to produce something entirely novel – this is particularly evident within Reggae which contains various subcategories and specific styles like One Drop and Rockers that may be difficult to distinguish from each other.
Reggae music stands out as being different in that it tends to have slower beats per minute (usually around 80) and often features Latin or African hand percussion instruments such as shekeres, wood blocks, claves and djembes which add complex rhythmic textures that add layers of complexity to its soundscape.
Reggae music is renowned for incorporating spiritual or religious themes into its lyrics, often associated with Rastafari movements’ mission of returning people to Africa from materialism, racism and colonialism. Additionally, Rastafaris often use cannabis (sometimes referred to as herb, ganja or sinsemilla ) as both holy sacrament and diet necessity within their community.
Reggae music is famous for its lyrics which often express social criticism; however, most artists focus on more intimate topics like love and socializing instead. Many reggae artists sing of their personal experiences and beliefs in God as inspiration for their lyrics.
Reggae drumming stands out as being something truly distinctive of its genre of music, featuring an emphasis on the snare drum and bass playing an intricate rhythm riff that repeats throughout most songs or albums, often two beat cycles but four also being common. Additionally, the snare drum can often be found tuned very high and rarely features any cymbal crashes for a full sound characteristic of reggae music.
“One Drop” drumming has long been associated with reggae music. This style combines syncopated snare drum and hi-hat pulse of ska with the swaying guitar-bass interplay of rocksteady. Carleton Barrett of Bob Marley and the Wailers was known to use this style, perfected it, and popularised it. The term refers to how instead of emphasizing its first beat as would typically happen with other rhythms, this first beat of each riff is left open; instead it pushed down using cross stick techniques which hold back its first beat so as not to put emphasise it up front as often happens with other rhythms.
Lyrics
Reggae music conveys messages of resistance and empowerment through its lyrics, often including themes related to love, Rastafari teachings, universal spirituality and Jamaican cultural and political ethos. Reggae has its roots in Jamaican patois that influences its lyrical style while simultaneously offering predictable rhythmic structure as well as spontaneous artistic expression.
Jamaican reggae music first emerged in the late 1960s, heavily influenced by earlier genres such as ska and rocksteady. The emotive melodies and spiritual themes reflect Jamaica’s rich history and its people, with strong roots in Rastafarianism (a predominantly black religion that emphasizes themes of unity and struggle) at its center. Reggae music also played an instrumental role in shaping other musical forms including dub music.
Reggae lyrics are typically composed in Jamaican patois, featuring both major and minor scales. Their rhythm and beat feature an emphasis on offbeats called “skank.” Chords may be played on guitar or piano while bass lines play a critical role. Reggae also incorporates rhythmic speaking – which predates hip-hop rapping.
Reggae musicians are passionate advocates for social justice. Their lyrics often address racism, poverty and environmental degradation; some also seek peace and unity while other use their music as a form of self-awareness and care for oneself. Reggae’s message of spirituality and social equality resonates strongly among communities of color in America.
Reggae’s growing popularity in the US has spread worldwide, inspiring musicians from numerous nations to create reggae music. Papa Cidy from Uganda is an esteemed reggae artist; Arthur Lutta from Ethiopia is widely respected while Tiken Jah Fakoly from Mali blends reggae into Malian musical traditions.
Writing songs in the reggae style can be both daunting and fulfilling. Successful songs feature meaningful lyrics with an appealing hook. A lyric assistant can assist with crafting melodious yet catchy lines to grab listeners’ attention while offering guidance and support during the creative process.
Sounds
Reggae stands out as an engaging dance style thanks to its rhythm. As its beats are designed to get people moving and dancing, its rhythm traces its origins back to popular styles like ska and rocksteady before evolving further with Jamaican folk music influenced by African tradition and European musical forms; creating its unique groove.
Reggae bands typically rely on acoustic drums and bass instruments, but the genre is also famed for using digital effects to give it its signature sound. Reggae producers and artists frequently add reverb, flanger and other special effects to their tracks to add atmosphere and make the music sound bigger than it really is.
Reggae musicians have also adopted elements from rock and roll into reggae music, while still maintaining its distinct beat through syncopated snare and hi-hat pulses found in ska and rocksteady rhythms. Additionally, reggae songs typically have slower tempos than their counterparts to differentiate it from other musical styles.
Reggae became more Rastafarian-influenced as it progressed into the ’70s. Songs began focusing more on spiritual love of Jah (God), than simply romantic love of an individual lover.
Reggae was popularized further by British punk rock, which drew upon Jamaican influences to create its unique form. Punk was similar to reggae; bands like Clash and Ruts took inspiration from reggae when creating their music; thus reggae’s popularity remains strong today, inspiring musicians around the globe with its musical narratives that transcend cultures and experiences, giving voice to human spirit that refuses to be subjugated.