Reggae music originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. It evolved from earlier genres such as ska and rocksteady, both of which were popular in Jamaica during the 1950s and 1960s. Ska featured upbeat tempos and brass instruments, while rocksteady slowed the rhythm and placed more emphasis on basslines and vocals.
The term “reggae” is believed to have been first popularized by the 1968 song “Do the Reggay” by Toots and the Maytals. This song is widely credited with giving the genre its name.
Reggae is characterized by a slow tempo, offbeat rhythms, and prominent basslines. The “one drop” rhythm, where the snare drum hits on the third beat of a four-beat bar, is a hallmark of the genre. Lyrically, reggae often addresses social issues, politics, resistance to oppression, and Rastafarianism, a spiritual movement that emerged in Jamaica during the 1930s.
One of the most influential figures in reggae music is Bob Marley, who rose to international fame in the 1970s with his band The Wailers. His music played a crucial role in bringing reggae to a global audience. Other key artists from the early reggae era include Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, and Burning Spear.
In 1973, reggae gained wider international attention when the film “The Harder They Come”, starring Jimmy Cliff, was released. The film’s soundtrack introduced many international listeners to the sound of reggae.
Reggae influenced and gave rise to several subgenres, including dub, dancehall, and reggaeton. Dub emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by instrumental remixes of reggae songs with heavy use of echo and reverb. Dancehall, which became prominent in the late 1970s and 1980s, incorporated digital instrumentation and a faster tempo.
In 2018, reggae music was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, recognizing its contribution to international discourse on issues such as injustice, resistance, love, and humanity.
Today, reggae remains a significant cultural and musical force, with artists from around the world incorporating its sound and spirit into their music.