Reggae music has had an enormous influence on musicians from across the world. Ugandan musician Papa Cidy fuses reggae beats with traditional African music while Ugandan gospel singer Arthur Lutta and Sudanese band Tiken Jah Fakoly both use reggae beats to craft their unique styles of reggae music.
Even those who may disagree with dancehall’s hedonism cannot deny its infectious energy – from Jamaican newcomer Shaggy to silky British veterans UB40.
1. Bob Marley & The Wailers
Bob Marley and The Wailers have long been considered icons of reggae music. Their musical legacy continues through their surviving members’ music; whether its social reform songs or Rasta lifestyle influences, their influence cannot be overstated.
Garnet Silk left an incredible body of work behind when he passed away in 1994; his haunting voice and spiritually inspired lyrics continue to influence new generations of artists today.
Some might dismiss UB40 for its repeated white pop-rock sound, but one listen reveals a lengthy tradition of creating infectious hits by this group. Their latest album also depicts dancehall’s rise.
2. Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest, the son of Jamaican immigrants living in Boston, grew up listening to gospel, reggae and R&B music. As a teenager he lifted speaker boxes for local sound systems before beginning singing performances at youth clubs and house parties in his neighbourhood.
His 1993 album, Man With the Fun, proved he could successfully combine hard-core reggae with more mainstream pop sensibilities; its crossover single ‘That Girl’ reached #1 worldwide charts.
Other performers at “Splash 93” left an impressionful live performances at this dancehall festival, such as Buju Banton with his hit Voice of Jamaica; Tiger with their irresistible Bam Bam that brought audiences to their feet; Shabba Ranks with Mr. Loverman by Shabba Ranks – even Swedish pop group UB40 managed a hit song called ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’
3. The Mighty Diamonds
Donald “Tabby” Shaw and Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson died tragically within three days of each other due to drive-by shootings, ending one of reggae’s beloved harmony trios; yet their legacy lives on through its music.
The Mighty Diamonds’ Sly and Robbie-produced 1975 debut album rocketed them to rock star status. Their unique mix of roots and dancehall created an innovative sound which would shape Jamaican music for decades after.
Dekker’s poignant patois lyrics capture ghetto struggles in this sufferers’ anthem, foreshadowing 1970s roots reggae’s depictions of social inequities and inspiring singers like Damian Marley, Kabaka Pyramid and Protoje. Furthermore, its mesmeric bass line by Heptones bassist Leroy Sibbles has become an indelible part of reggae tradition.
4. Inner Circle
Inner Circle first rose to fame backing singer-songwriter Eric Donaldson in 1971. Their late frontman Jacob Miller brought social commentary into their music; this became one of the key elements behind cult classic film Bad Boys.
Deejaying in Jamaican music involves not just spinning records but also “toasting,” the practice of speaking over rhythmic patterns to enhance them and form new melodies – this practice being the precursor of modern rap music.
Drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare formed the vocal trio Black Uhuru in the late 1970s, producing its distinctive “new reggae” sound. Songs like “Judgement Day: Music for the Rebels” continue to encourage listeners while dancehall performer Tanya Stephens boldly declares women have every right to choose who they marry; reggae music in particular has had numerous inventive revivals thanks to new rhythms wrapped around old messages that constantly reignite pop music’s vibrant revivals over time – few styles show such impressive revivals than reggae itself!
5. Burning Spear
Spear has long sought to transcend his Rastafarian beliefs by crossing over. The smooth production of Mek We Dweet and Jah Kingdom albums released by Island are great examples; their lighter rock sound adds crossover appeal while free jazz and funk accents give these records their distinctive flavor.
Rodneys work at Jamaicas Studio One, affectionately dubbed Jamaicas Motown, helped establish roots reggae as an unhurried yet exhilarating form of music. Lyrically he often focused on themes related to faith and social justice while advocating the teachings of Marcus Garvey (a major influence on Rastafarians and other Black liberationists) with regards to Pan-Africanism and self-determination.
6. Dub Colossus
Dub Colossus, led by Nick Page and featuring Ethiopian jazz and traditional styles with dub reggae and widescreen instrumentals. Their dynamic live show includes Africanized versions of classic rockers like Uptown Top Ranking.
Page (of UK progressive band Transglobal Underground) traveled to Ethiopia in 2006 in order to experience its music scene first-hand and formed a band including vocalists Tsedenia Gebremarkos and Sintayehu ‘Mimi’ Zenebe, as well as messenqo violinist Termage Woretaw (messenqo violin) and pianist Samuel Yirga (piano).
Their critically-acclaimed debut album A Town Called Addis was released in 2008. This record showcases styles from Ethiopia’s golden era including traditional Azmari styles, 1960s Ethiopian pop and Ethiojazz music to produce an engaging musical journey.
7. Alpha Blondy
Listen in on an engaging interview with Grammy-winning reggae artist Mykal Rose. The diminutive singer opens up about his childhood, his roots in Jamaican music and work as part of Black Uhuru. Additionally, Mykal discusses recording new songs as well as explaining Jamaica’s copyright act.
Seydou Kouya made waves when he relaunched his career in Abidjan during the early 80s under his new stage name Alpha Blondy – an offshoot of bandit. Soon thereafter he proved that reggae could successfully adapt itself to Ivorian rhythms.
Donald “Tabby” Diamond and Fitzroy “Bunny” Diamond sing beautifully harmonized harmonies while George Fullwood delivers thundering basslines in this soul-influenced roots reggae classic by Third World, calling for unity amid political uncertainty of its time. Originally recorded by American soul trio O’Jays, their funky reggae-party version was far superior.
8. Papa Cidy
Reggae music strives to set itself apart from other musical genres by its signature skank guitar rhythm. Utilizing offbeats, an emphasis on the third beat and syncopated bass lines that move from root down to fifth position, this distinctive pattern of melody and rhythm creates melodic and rhythmic interest for listeners.
Reggae music has long been known for its social criticism and religious-themed lyrics, yet even dancehall artists sometimes cover lighter topics in their lyrics. Buju Banton recently addressed gun violence with “Murderer”, showing his transformation from dancehall star to Rastafari follower in one song.
UB40’s album, “Promises and Lies,” demonstrated that dancehall can also create great music. Additionally, Nigerian musician Majek Fashek blended reggae with Afropop styles influenced by Fela Anikulapo Kuti; performing as part of Reggae Sunsplash tour ’93 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Washington D.C.
9. Arthur Lutta
Reggae began making waves in Yugoslav popular music throughout the 1970s through songs by Haustor, Sarlo Akrobata and Aerodrom bands; Del Arno Band is considered one of the first Yugoslav bands to explore reggae as well.
Three Dog Night became the first non-Jamaican artist to top US Billboard charts with their reggae-influenced hit Black and White in late 1972, while Alton Ellis used rocksteady as a slow variant of ska, often combined with romantic lyrics.
At this time, the UK reggae-influenced punk rock scene was flourishing as well, with bands such as the Clash, Ruts and Slits all making waves with their reggae-influenced tunes. Furthermore, Matisyahu gained widespread attention by mixing traditional Jewish themes with reggae.
10. Tiken Jah Fakoly
Tiken Jah Fakoly was an African musical hero for decades. Born Doumbia Moussa Fakoly in Odienne, northwestern Cote d’Ivoire and inspired by Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah was among the first reggae artists to gain wide popularity on the continent.
At about this time in the UK, reggae music took on an entirely new direction with bands such as Steel Pulse, Aswad and UB40 introducing multiracial British inner city concerns in place of Jamaican ghetto themes and Jamaican patois with Cockney slang – this style became known as lovers rock.