The Rhythmic Roots of Reggae Music

Writer: Aras Bilgen / July 2024

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Reggae music, with its unmistakable offbeat rhythms and socially charged lyrics, first blossomed in the late 1960s in Jamaica. Emerging from ska and rocksteady, this vibrant genre drew influences from American rhythm and blues, jazz, and traditional Caribbean sounds. Reggae quickly became Jamaica's most influential cultural export, spreading messages of unity and resistance across the globe.

The term "reggae" entered the music lexicon with Toots and the Maytals' 1968 hit "Do the Reggay." As Jamaica celebrated its independence in 1962, reggae music evolved into a powerful voice for the marginalized, addressing poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Bob Marley, along with The Wailers, was instrumental in bringing reggae to the world stage, crafting timeless anthems like "No Woman, No Cry" and "One Love."

Reggae's infectious grooves soon transcended Jamaica's shores, influencing musicians worldwide. In the UK, it melded with the punk rock scene of the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, in the US, artists like Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh played pivotal roles in introducing reggae to a broader audience...

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