Jamaica's Sweet Reggae Music
'The Music Of The Soul'

Reggae Music | Live Performance In Jamaica

Reggae music is as unique to Jamaica as the blue mountain coffee! We created, nurtured, promotes and cherish it here.

Many thanks to the stalwarts - past and present, who helped to create this distinctive product that is now internationally acclaimed.

Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Prince Buster are a few notable contributors to Reggae's popularity and success. Of course, Bob Marley became our best known ambassador for this genre of music.

Video: Watch Beres Hammond's Live Performance
At
ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH 
(A Stellar Performance)

For the purist in music, Mike Turks defines it by saying:

Generally Reggae is founded upon a rhythm style characterized by regular chops on the back beat, known as the skank.

This rhythmic style is played by a rhythm guitar and a bass drum hitting on the third beat of each measure known as the one drop.

This beat is slower than that found in reggae's precursors, ska and rock steady. The emphasis of the beat is on, for example, beats 2 and 4, when in 4/4 time.

This backbeat is characteristic of all African-based musics and is not found in traditional European or Asian music. Reggae drummers also emphasize the third beat when in 4/4 time with a kick to the bass drum.

Reggae includes two sub-genres, Roots Reggae (the original reggae) and Dancehall Reggae, which originated in the late 1970s.

One of the main themes of traditional reggae has been social liberation. This has both political and religious aspects. Needless to say, Reggae is the fuel for the Rastafari Movement here in Jamaica and the world!

It is said that Reggae is not only the precursor to the modern Jamaican style of Dub, but also to American Ska, Jambands, and British reggae-based bands, example UB40. It is also a predecessor to the now popular Hip-Hop and Rap music although a very clear line can be drawn between the two.

Some of the lyrical themes in reggae have been viewed as controversial. Some of these themes — like marijuana use have been prevalent in reggae music throughout its history, whilst others — such as homophobia are a more recent phenomenon.

That said though, I tell you, Jamaican Reggae has undoubtedly made an indelible mark on world music. Today, scores and scores of dedicated reggae festivals are held each year around the world. See also 'What Is Reggae'?

Reggae Music Festivals & Its Global Impact

Some of the popular ones includes:

• Reggae Sumfest, Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Soèa Reggae Riversplash, Tolmin, Slovenia,
• Notting Hill Carnival, London, UK &
• Uppsala Reggae Festival, Sweden
• Plus many more!

In addition, there are many media programs, hundreds of websites, and scores of publications, that captures Reggae.

Reggae is also increasingly used in movies. Moreover various reggae artistes have won prestigious world music awards and are charting new courses in Reggae.

Today, Reggae giants such as Morgan's Heritage, Luciano & Buju Banton, rising stars such as Chronixx and Koffee, still wave the traditional Reggae music flag high, while artistes such as Sean Paul and Shaggy  represents us well with a more contemporary style of Reggae.

See Also: Terry Linen wow's patrons at Rasta Village

Just to let you know as well; two of the biggest achievements of Bob Marley and by extension Reggae, were the awards of the Song of the Millennium by the BBC, and Exodus as the Album of the Century by Time Magazine. [kinda impressive isn't it?]

There is some concern of impropriety and lewdness becoming more evident in today’s dancehall reggae.

Despite this, Reggae music - in general, continues to captivate the minds and hearts of many the world over. Today, many non-traditional reggae cultures are embracing Reggae because of the spirit of oneness and unity it brings.

By the way, you might be interested in yet another authentic Jamaican music form that predates Reggae, called Mento, read about it here.

For more information on dancehall reggae, including the latest news, mix-up, and events, visit www.dancehallreggaeworld.com.

Other Pages Related To Reggae Music

• Best Jamaican Dancehall Videos of All Time
• Reggae Gospel Music Artists
  
• Luciano - Where There Is Life Album
• Tony Rebels Sweet Jamaica Song
• Jamaican Party Themes
• Jamaican Drums
• Jamaican music Video
• Dance Hall Queen Competition
  
• Jamaica Travel Guide
• Jamaican Travel Stories
• Vacation in Jamaica
• Our Jamaica Blog
• Jamaican Food
• Pictures from Jamaica
• A Vacation in Jamaica
• The history of Jamaica
• Articles about Jamaica
• Traditional Jamaican Dances
  
• And even more...Search Here

Return to Culture of Jamaica from Reggae Music
Return to My Island Jamaica from Reggae Music

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. How Long Does a Splinter Title Take to Process in Jamaica?

   Jun 13, 25 03:18 PM

   Question from Lloyd Castro: SPLINTER TITLE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE TITLE OFFICE IN APRIL 2022. APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO

   Read More

2. The Leaf That Heals - Jamaica’s Beloved Leaf of Life Plant

   Jun 13, 25 02:52 PM

   The Leaf That Heals: Jamaica’s Beloved Leaf of Life If you were born in Jamaica or spent any time around the real bush doctors—yuh know, the

   Read More

3. How Do I Claim My NIS and NHT If My Boss Didn’t Pay Them?

   Jun 12, 25 09:12 PM

   Question from Jane: Can you claim your payroll taxes if they are not being paid? Answer by Wellesley: Jane, this is a very important question,

   Read More

4. How do I find the owner of a vacant lot?

   Jun 11, 25 08:15 PM

   Question from Ashli, Kingston: I am trying to find the owner of a piece of land that is known to be vacant for years. The land is now covered with

   Read More

5. What Is Indexed Universal Life Insurance, and Is It Available in Jamaica?

   Jun 11, 25 08:05 PM

   Question from Kane: What is an indexed universal life policy and do either insurance company offer this indexed universal life policy here in Jamaica?

   Read More