The Origins of Reggae Music

Caribbean music has entertained many music fansracial groups in the UK was the British band UB40.
and has a great influence on the rest of the world.Social issues, such as poverty and political freedom
Music from the Caribbean islands such as Calypso,are addressed in the lyrics of many reggae songs.
ska, rock steady and dancehall have evolved fromThese songs are the anthems of the poor who grow
each other and fused into what we know as reggaeup in shanty towns and are still struggling to make
music. This music genre has also been influenced byends meet. Some of the songs are about the beliefs
elements of African rhythms and American blues.of the Rastafarian religion, of which Marley was a
Strong bass lines and the bass drum beatingpractitioner. There are explorations of spirituality,
characterize this music genre.invoking God, or Jah as he is called in some of the
Reggae music originated from the island nation ofsongs. However, some reggae songs are
Jamaica. This country is home to many homegrowncontroversial because they defend the use of
musicians and record producers who have developedcannabis which Rastafarians advocate.
the distinctive style. Lee 'Scratch' Perry is the mostReggae Music in all of its forms, have influenced and
famous Jamaican producer. He is responsible forled on to other forms of music, namely drum and
launching the careers of many reggae musicians.bass and hip hop. So far, nobody has taken over
Artists such as Burning Spear and Horace Andyfrom Marley's mantle and rap and R & B dominate
spread reggae music beyond the islands. However,the charts at the moment. Music experts say that
none of them can match Bob Marley in terms ofReggae music needs another charismatic figure to
popularizing this music to the rest of world. Nospread the word.
Woman, No Cry, Buffalo Soldier and RedemptionThis unique kind of music has achieved a lot
Song are just some of Marley's hits. When he passedconsidering that it came out of a small island with
away, he enjoyed legendary status and was given aearly recordings produced on basic equipment. People
state funeral in Jamaica.responded to the melodic simplicity of the music and
In addition to Bob Marley, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff,the heartfelt lyrics. There was always a high standard
Desmond Dekker, and other crossover singers alsoof musicianship and a direct connection between the
had success in the British pop charts. The Police,artists and the fans in reggae music. Since nobody
UB40, Selector, The Clash and The Specials fusedcan keep a good thing down, this Caribbean music will
reggae music with rock. In fact, one of the first multisurely rise again.