How to Appreciate Reggae Music

Reggae music is an art form that originated in Jamaica in the mid-20th century and has since exploded in popularity, earning fans throughout the world. Most people, however, enjoy reggae only now and then. They see it as light, carefree music for summer vacations but don't fully grasp its depth, its social significance and its musical legacy. But that's easy enough to change.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Reggae CDs
• Reggae books and/or access to reggae websites
• Ears

1. Read the history of reggae music. Learn about the musical influences that lead to its creation, including American rhythm and blues, African slave songs and Caribbean music like calypso and mento.

2. Learn to different styles of reggae: ska, rock steady, roots, lovers rock, dancehall and dub.

3. Listen for the "one-drop rhythm" that characterizes most reggae (except for modern dancehall). One-drop is a "hiccupping" rhythm that heavily emphasizes the "back beat," or the "two" and "four" in a four-beat musical bar.

4. Research the Rastafarian religion and its influence on the lyrical content of reggae music, including: Afrocentrism, worship of former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I, dreadlocked hair, strict dietary rules, universal peace and love and the smoking of marijuana. Learn about how reggae has spread Rastafarianism around the world.

5. Read about the social impact that reggae has played across the globe. In the Caribbean, reggae songs have long been used in political campaigns, while in South Africa, anti-Apartheid songs by reggae singer Lucky Dube were banned by the government in the 1980s.

6. Recognize the artistic influences that reggae has had. It has helped lead to the creation of musical genres like hip-hop, punk rock, reggaeton, drum 'n bass and jungle, plus the popularization of dreadlocks, the concept of the remix and phrases like "one love" and "big up." While reggae artists like Eddy Grant, UB40, Maxi Priest, Shaggy and Sean Paul have had mainstream success with hit songs, popular artists like Blondie, Eric Clapton, The Fugees, and Ace of Base have also had success remaking reggae songs.

7. Grasp the improbable impact that reggae music has had worldwide, considering that it came from an island smaller than every US state except Delaware and Rhode Island.

8. Consider the importance of Bob Marley, who is still the face of reggae decades after his death. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his album "Exodus" was voted by Time Magazine as the best album of the 20th century, while his song "One Love" was voted by the BBC as the song of the millennium. His "Legend" is one of the most popular albums of all time, selling over 10 million copies to date.

9. Listen to important acts like Bob Marley, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Toots & The Maytals, Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Buju Banton, Luciano, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Aswad, Lucky Dube, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, King Tubby and Black Uhuru.

Resources

• National Geographic overview of reggae
• Jammin Reggae Archives
• The Rough Guide to Reggae

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on 10/26/2009 TEFF (The Hottest Reggae Artist of Our Time!!!) Check Him Out On Youtube ASAP

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