Reggae music has long been used to express spiritual and political messages worldwide, from celebrating love erotica to supporting armed liberation movements in Africa. Jamaican artists Bob Marley and Peter Tosh both subscribed to Rastafarianism which advocates repatriation back home as well as resistance against oppression.
Reggae evolved from Jamaican musical styles such as mento, ska and rocksteady while incorporating jazz and rhythm and blues elements. Its syncopated beats and bass guitar interplay gave rise to rub-a-dub style music which eventually gave rise to dancehall music.
Bob Marley
Reggae’s reigning king, this artist was an artistic phenomenon from Jamaica from the early 60s until his death in 1981. Beginning with ska, he sang silky soul in The Wailers akin to US vocal groups he revered like Impressions and Moonglows; wrote rocksteady tunes which combined salacious content, romantic passions, political protest, and gospel elements into rocksteady compositions that became his trademark sound; all this earned him international renown and made him an undisputed international superstar!
Abdullah Ibn Buhaina was born in 1933 and used Rastafarian ideas and music as an outlet to express his spirituality and dedication to social change. Through music he spread peace and freedom for all mankind. His 1976 album Rastaman Vibration became an international success that introduced people worldwide to Jamaican culture through its songs.
David Bowie was one of the greatest artists ever and an iconic figure in rock and roll and pop music history. One of his best-selling musicians ever, his most well-known hits included I Shot the Sheriff, No Woman No Cry and King of Babylon.
After Marley passed in 1981, many fans wondered who would succeed him as the most iconic reggae artist. Bunny Wailer is among those often mentioned; he served in both Marley’s Wailers band as well as having an individual career prior to joining up with them; his 1980 album Sings the Wailers provided a stunning combination of vocal talent and musical prowess while creating a rub-a-dub sound which bridged roots and dancehall music genres.
While many assume reggae music only appeals to audiences from the US and UK, its appeal can be found all around the globe. Popular artists of this style can be found everywhere from South Africa (Lucky Dube & SZA), Australia & New Zealand (Katchafire Fat Freddy’s Drop), France / Chile Steel Pulse as well as Japan. Reggae represents Jamaican cultures which make its appeal universal. Furthermore, its lyrics often incorporate themes related to religion or social criticism into its composition.
Toots and the Maytals
Toots and the Maytals helped spread reggae far and wide with their blend of gospel, ska, soul and reggae music. Established by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert in 1962 in May Pen, Jamaica they are renowned for their original and distinctive sound that earned them the moniker ‘kings of rock-steady”.
Toots and the Maytals first rose to fame outside Jamaica with the release of “Monkey Man,” which was covered by both The Clash and The Specials, as well as being featured on the soundtrack for The Harder They Come film, becoming household names in America and leading them on an extensive worldwide tour. By 1975, Toots and the Maytals signed an exclusive worldwide recording contract with Island Records; their debut album being Funky Kingston.
Toots’ debut album featured his soulful vocals accompanied by excellent musicianship from an all-star studio band that included Steve Winwood, Eddie Quansah, Dudu Pulwana and Rico Rodriquez – it became an instantaneous success both within the UK and widened her appeal globally. The resultant success propelled Toots further up the chart of fame.
Toots and the Maytals continue to perform with Hibbert’s powerful voice still taking centre stage. They earned themselves a Grammy Award with True Love, an album of re-recorded versions of their classic songs featuring legendary musicians Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards as well as popular artists No Doubt Ben Harper Shaggy among many more. Additionally they contributed tracks to Easy Star All-Stars album Radiodread which pays a dub tribute to Radiohead’s OK Computer album OK Computer by providing dub tribute tracks that was recorded with Easy Star All-Stars album Radiodread; which pays tribute dub tribute Radiohead album OK Computer by Dub tribute Easy Star All-Stars album Radiodread”.
Toots and the Maytals enjoy an unparalleled following, known for their feel-good vibes that cannot be rivaled. Their live shows are high energy and entertaining; any fan of reggae music should experience them! Their influence continues to resound today’s global music scene with artists from Amy Winehouse to Sublime covering their classic tracks; Toots and the Maytals remain iconic and beloved, thanks to their musical brilliance and genius.
Frankie Paul
Paul Blake, better known by his stage name Frankie Paul, was one of dancehall reggae music’s beloved performers. A blind artist known by many as ‘Jamaica’s Stevie Wonder’ – born in 1965 on a hospital ship and partially restored through an operation – started out his musical journey at Salvation Army schools for blind in Kingston where he learned drums, piano and guitar before receiving encouragement from Stevie Wonder to pursue a musical career.
Paul found his niche during the dancehall revolution of the ’80s, in which roots reggae was increasingly less focused on social, political and religious themes in favor of more fun and frivolous topics like Alesha (about an overweight lover of fast food) with its catchy yet humorous tune, including its signature line: “All she feed ‘pon is french fries and hamburger”.
He released several hit singles during the ’80s, such as Sarah, Head to Toe and Shame Dem, before continuing his prolific recording output into the 1990s, releasing several albums annually and touring Europe and America as well as being an integral part of major festivals.
Talented multi-instrumentalist, he produced several of his own records as well as working with some of Jamaica’s premier producers of that era. Additionally, he collaborated with London’s Greensleeves label.
At all stages of his life, he remained actively engaged with business as well as charitable activities including HIV awareness campaigns. For the last decade or so he resided in The Gambia.
His sister announced his death to the Gleaner newspaper and noted how much they will miss him: “His last month of life was difficult but we know he has left us all with great memories,” she stated.
His music will continue to live on, and he remains one of Jamaica’s most revered reggae performers ever. His work stands as testament to the human voice and how powerfully music can express Jamaican culture.
Inner Circle
Inner Circle was formed in Jamaica in 1968. They initially played soul and R&B tunes from America but gradually transitioned into reggae music, first backing The Chosen Few in early 1970s, before joining Jacob Miller as his solo artist and releasing multiple records during this period. Unfortunately Miller died tragically in a car crash in 1980 but Inner Circle reformed six years later with Charlton Coffie serving as lead vocalist – producing hits like “Sweat (A La La La Long)” which became part of popular TV show COPS.
Inner Circle have played alongside such notable musicians as Elton John, Van Morrison, and Peter Gabriel throughout their careers. Additionally, their unique sound – combining danceable reggae with pop and R&B influences – has given them wide crossover appeal, transcending any one genre or subgenre of reggae music.
Original lineup members included brothers Ian and Roger Lewis, Michael “Ibo” Cooper on keyboards, brothers Stephen and Cat Coore playing guitar respectively, with Lancelot Hall joining as drummer upon their 1986 reformation. Their music blends social commentary with danceable reggae beats; best known for 1993 hit Bad Boys which became theme song for Fox TV series Cops.
The 1990s was an immensely popular era for pop, hip hop and reggae music, featuring some iconic tracks like ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ as well as lesser-known gems that will keep you dancing all summer long! Here is our playlist with some amazing tunes that are sure to get people up dancing all over!