reggae

Reggae emerged in Jamaica during the late 1960s, evolving from ska and rocksteady into a slower, bass-heavy sound defined by its offbeat guitar "skank," syncopated drum patterns, and profound emphasis on groove. Pioneered by artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Jimmy Cliff, the genre became the sonic vehicle for Rastafarian spirituality, social justice, and Caribbean identity, spreading globally as both a musical revolution and a cultural movement. Its signature one-drop rhythm—where the drum hits fall on the third beat—creates a hypnotic, meditative pulse that distinguishes it from ska's uptempo energy and dub's experimental studio manipulations.

While roots reggae channels conscious lyrics and militant spirituality, and dancehall later injected digital production and aggressive toasting, reggae proper occupies the sweet spot between message music and irresistible rhythm. Its influence seeped into rock through acts like The Clash and Sublime, who borrowed its rhythmic backbone while retaining their own edge, yet authentic reggae maintains an unmistakable Jamaican soul—the interplay of walking basslines, keyboard stabs, and vocals that seem to float atop the rhythm rather than dominate it.

Reggae demands you feel time differently. It teaches patience through repetition, delivers protest through melody, and transforms political urgency into something you can dance to. From Burning Spear's ceremonial intensity to the crossover appeal of acts like UB40 and Damian Marley's fusion experiments, the genre remains a testament to how rhythm can carry revolution across borders and generations.