Reggae Music: History, Facts, and Resources

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Over a short period of time, the Caribbean music has entertained the millions of music fans and has a really great influence on the rest of the world. A Caribbean island named Calypso, rock steady ska and dance hall have all evolved from each other and have fused into what we call today reggae music. This music genre has been so influenced by the elements of the American blues and African rhythms. You will hear the strong bass drum beating that has characterized this music genre. The island nation of Jamaica is where the reggae music was originated from. And this country is home to many of the homegrown musicians and plus the record producers who have developed the whole distinctive style.

One of the most famous Jamaican producers was a man named Lee “Scratch” Perry. He is an idol to most of the reggae musicians of today as he is responsible for launching the careers of many of the reggae performers of all time. You may have heard of artists like Horace Andy and Burning Spear. They are the ones that are responsible for the spread of reggae music beyond the islands. We all know none of them can take place of Bob Marley in terms of popularizing this music to the rest of the entire world. A song that was titled ‘No woman, No Cry’ and the song ‘Buffalo Soldier’ as well as ‘Redemption Song’ are just some of Marley’s big hits of all time. He was given a state funeral in Jamaica and when he passed away, he enjoyed legendary status. In addition to Johnny Nash, Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, and Jimmy Cliff with other cross over singers also had a success in the British pop charts. UB40, Selector, The Police, The Clash and The Specials had fused reggae music with rock.

One of the first multi racial groups was the British UB40 in the UK. Poverty and political freedom are addressed in the lyrics as social issues were mainly in the songs. These individuals were poor and they grew up in shanty towns and these issues became their anthems especially for the ones who are still struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet. You may have heard some of their songs about the beliefs of Rastafarian religion in which Bob Marley was a practitioner. There are invoking Gods, there are explorations of spirituality or Jah as he calls in some of the songs. It has been said that some of the reggae music are controversial because they defend the use of cannabis in which Rastafarians advocate. The reggae music in all forms has led on to other forms of music and has influenced many for years. With a mixture of the bass, drum and a little hip hop, so far no one has taken over from Marley’s mantle and rap R & B dominate the charts as of now. In order to spread the word, some music exports say that reggae music needs another charismatic figure.

This unique kind of music has came up in a way that is so unimaginable it’s kind of cool because it came out of an island with early recording produced on basic equipment. Many people responded to the melodic simplicity of the music and they felt those heartfelt lyrics they were speaking. Not to mention a high standard of musicianship and a direct connection that was between the fans of reggae music and the artist. This music can and will rise again since there is no one that can keep a good thing down and that means regenerating an entire new musical generation. But when it comes to Jamaica’s most distinguished vocalist, Horace Andy, the next generation will have a lot to look up to. One of Horace’s classic recordings from the late 70’s remaining very crucial listening material till this time and day. His most recent work that was done trip-hop heroes Massive Attack was introduced to the world, and a whole new entire generation of a very devoted fan-base.

This artist’s work has been so consistent over the previous years that there have been very few occasions when he is not releasing outstanding albums and records. Horace Andy, real name is actually, Horace Hinds, and he grew up in the All man Town neighborhood located, in Kingston, Jamaica. Horace Hinds was born in February 19, 1951. Back then he was the young star that was up coming. At that point in time his cousin Justin Hinds was getting very popular in the Jamaican music scene. Justin Hinds was a member of the music group called Justin Hinds and the Dominoes. The group produced successful singles such as “Carry Go Bring Come”, and Two Tone Heroes the Selector. Ironically, little Horace Hinds would inevitably follow in his older cousins’ footsteps, but didn’t choose to work with all of the same people that Justin worked with. One of the personnel in particular was Justin’s producer, Duke Reid. Horace decided at the age of sixteen he would debut a single for another artist called Phil Pratt, and from there to debut many more successful albums and became very popular with his 1972 release of Skylarking.

Another great generation changing group was Burning Spear. They are one of the most brilliant and also respected grass roots group in Jamaica’s entire history. Winston Rodney is the original leader of Burning Spear and he unleashed a lot of classic dread records throughout his career. He was part black historian and part Rastafarian preacher, and that was more than any other Jamaican artists. Burning Spear has uplifted Rastafarianism in there songs, and distributing its beliefs with the rest of the Jamaican public. Rodney was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, in 1948. He was associated with another St. Ann’s native, Bob Marley, who recommended him to go to Kingston for a meeting with Coxsone Dodd, head of Studio One. Rodney took a lot of Bob Marley’s advice and stated his major music career were Bob suggested. Since then Rodney went on to make plenty of other records and actually earned a Grammy nomination.

Resources about Reggae Music

Bob Marley School for the Arts Institute, Flamingo Beach, Trelawny, Jamaica
The Rhetoric of Reggae Music is a course offered at the University of Vermont.
KTRU 91.7 FM Houston RICE RADIO REGGAE
To the official, UPTOWN TOP RANKING Radio Show Website.
The International Reggae Conference is for artistes, industry practitioners, researchers, academics, fans and other interested parties who can bring significant insight into the international reggae music industry.

Resource by B.Matthews

I am a fun outgoing girl who loves to go to concerts and sit on the grass and read. My favorite books are those that make me think about life, love and how the world spins around no matter the troubles that you're going through.

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