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Reggae, a style of popular music, originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s and swiftly became the country’s dominant musical form. By the 1970s, it had transcended its local roots to become an international phenomenon, especially resonating in Britain, the United States, and Africa. This genre was widely perceived as a voice for the oppressed, reflecting the socio-political climate of its time.
An early definition from The Dictionary of Jamaican English (1980) describes reggae as a genre rooted in ska, an earlier Jamaican musical style. It is characterized by a heavy four-beat rhythm, driven by drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, and a unique instrument known as the “scraper,” which involves a corrugated stick rubbed by a plain stick. This rhythm section, particularly the drum and bass, laid the groundwork for dub, a new instrumental form. The dictionary also notes that the rhythmic guitar sound at the end of measures provides an “accompaniment to emotional songs often expressing rejection of established ‘white-man’ culture.” This distinctive guitar technique, sometimes referred to as skengay, mimics the sound of gunshots ricocheting in Kingston’s ghettos, with skeng itself meaning “gun” or “ratchet knife.” Thus, reggae encapsulated the sounds and pressures of ghetto life and was the soundtrack of the emergent “rude boy” (would-be gangster) culture.
The genre of reggae is defined not just by its musical elements but also by its cultural and social significance. It evolved from earlier Jamaican styles such as mento, ska, and rocksteady, and incorporates elements from traditional Jamaican Kumina, Pukkumina, Revival Zion, Nyabinghi, and burru drumming. The 1968 single "Do the Reggay" by Toots and the Maytals was pivotal in naming and popularizing the genre globally. Reggae is instantly recognizable by its distinctive counterpoint between the bass and drum downbeat and the offbeat rhythm section.
Reggae is deeply intertwined with Rastafari, an Afrocentric religion that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, promoting pan-Africanism. The international spread of reggae music significantly boosted the visibility of Rastafari, conveying its messages worldwide. Reggae musicians are often seen as messengers, using their music to promote social change.
Stylistically, reggae blends elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, mento (a celebratory, rural folk music), calypso, and traditional African folk rhythms. One of its hallmark features is the offbeat rhythm, with staccato chords played by guitar or piano on the offbeats. Reggae typically has a slower tempo compared to ska and rocksteady. It frequently employs the call and response technique, with the genre being led by the drum and bass. Prominent figures in reggae’s rhythm section include Jackie Jackson, Carlton Barrett, Lloyd Brevett, Paul Douglas, Lloyd Knibb, Winston Grennan, Sly Dunbar, and Anthony "Benbow" Creary. The bass guitar in reggae is often dominant, producing a thick, heavy sound with emphasized lower frequencies. The guitar generally plays on the rhythm's offbeat, and songs are commonly sung in Jamaican Patois, Jamaican English, and Iyaric dialects.
Lyrically, reggae is known for its social criticism and religious themes, although many songs also explore personal topics like love and socializing. The genre has spread globally, adapting to local instruments and blending with other musical styles. In the UK, Caribbean music, including reggae, has been popular since the late 1960s, giving rise to several subgenres and fusions. Reggae artists from the UK and Europe have often drawn direct inspiration from Jamaica and the Caribbean community. The genre’s presence in Africa was notably boosted by Bob Marley’s visit to Zimbabwe in 1980, cementing reggae’s place as a powerful, global musical force.