About Reggae Music

Reggae is a term that was coined sometime close to 1960. Derived from rege-rege, a Jamaican phrase meaning “rags or ragged clothing,” it is used to denote a raggedy style of music that grew up in Jamaica around that time.

Reggae is a genre of music that has its roots in a number of other musical styles. It incorporates influences from Jamaican music (both traditional Mento and contemporary Ska), as well as American Rhythm & Blues, which was broadcast from high-powered stations in New Orleans and Florida in the early days of radio, and could be easily picked up in Jamaica. Reggae’s closest musical relations are Ska and Rocksteady, popular in Jamaica during the 1950s and early 1960s. Reggae evolved from these other genres, really coming into its own later that decade.

Reggae shares many characteristics with Ska, such as a walking bass line with guitar and piano off-beats, but Ska is faster paced and also tends to incorporates jazz-influenced horn riffs. The genre was lauded by Jamaican youths around the time that the nation gained independence in 1962. Rocksteady slowed the Ska tempo right down. Played by smaller bands, it also used more syncopated bass patterns. This style is very close to Reggae and the dividing line between Rocksteady and early Reggae is not always easily distinguishable.

Reggae music is recognizable thanks to its heavy backbeated rhythm. This means, for example, that the second and fourth beat would be emphasized when playing in 4/4 time. This is very typical of African-based musical genres, though uncommon in traditional forms of Asian or European music. Reggae also tends to use “double skank” guitar strokes on the offbeat, and lyrics often center on more socio-political themes.

Early reggae music had lyrics consistent in theme with its predecessor, Rocksteady, with songs often focusing on topics such as love. As the genre found its feet in the 70s though, it evolved in line with the Rastafarian movement that was sweeping Jamaica at the time, and lyrics of Reggae songs quickly developed a more socio-political or religious bent.