Reggae, also translated as reggae or thunder roll music, is a dance and dance music from the West Indies. Reggae is the general name for a variety of dance music in Jamaica. Reggae began to have a great influence on Western pop music in the 1960s and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

The representative figure of reggae music is Bob Marley (Bob Marley, also translated as Bob Marley, 1945-1981), who promoted the popularity of reggae music. Unfortunately, he died young and died of cancer at the age of only 36.

After the 1970s, reggae began to become one of the mainstream pop music styles, and many bands followed suit, among which the British band UB40 and the Police Band were the most famous.

The above explanation comes from "Wikipedia"

Here is some detailed information~~There are a lot of words and it looks a bit tiring

Reggae (Reggae) Introduction

The origin of reggae music

It was formed in Jamaica around 1968. The reason was that in the 1960s, the American music industry declined, and some music engineers left for inspiration. . Some of them came to Jamaica. There are already some traveling singers in Jamaica, so there has always been a folk atmosphere brewing; so the arrival of this group of American music engineers is an opportunity for Jamaica to improve its music standards. In addition, local musicians are brave in innovation and willing to accept foreign things, thus giving them a creative background for new music.

Reggae music originated in Jamaica, and its roots come from New Orleans’ R&B. At that time, Jamaican musicians developed their own R&B music based on the fast-paced New Orleans R&B they heard on the radio. This music type called Ska was quite popular in the 1960s. However, during a very hot summer, local people could not play such fast-paced music and dance outdoors in the high temperature. Local musicians slowed down the music and formed Reggae music. The word Reggae is derived from "Ragged", which represents the raunchy dance form of Jamaica.

In the mid-1960s, Jamaica had formed a music form "Ska", which basically had the shadow of reggae, but the rhythm of this music was very fast; later it developed into "Rock" Steady", the rhythm became slower than Ska, and after further transformation, it was integrated into "Soul" (soul music). Around '68, "Reggae" was officially formed.

Music Type

Reggae music combines traditional African rhythms, American rhythm and blues and original Jamaican folk music. This style includes "downbeat alto omission", " Upward slapping guitar strums," and "Vocal Chorus." The lyrics emphasize social, political and humanistic concerns.

Reggae is one of the early popular music in Jamaica. It not only combines the lyrical style of American rhythm and blues, but also adds the enthusiasm of Latin music. In addition, reggae music places great emphasis on the vocal part. Whether it is solo or chorus, it is usually performed in the form of singing, and the main melody and rhythm are brought out by guitar, percussion, electronic keyboard or other instruments. In reggae music, you will also find that electric bass plays a very important role! Reggae music is in four-four beats, with the emphasis falling on the second and fourth beats. From the bass drum part of the music, we can clearly hear an obvious rhythm and fixed melody line. It has a unique, lazy rhythm all its own.

The birth of Reggae is quite twists and turns: it evolved from Ska, a fast music that combines Cuban/African jazz and American rhythm and blues. It was later improved by musicians from New Orleans in the United States and became thunder. Ghost, and then spread it back to Jamaica.

Reggae, like rock music, is just a general term with many branches, including psychedelic Dub, R&B-like Rocksteady, dance rhythm Ragga, Dancehall Rapping, etc. It is the most famous product of Jamaica.

The origin of the name reggae

Speaking of the origin of the name reggae, in fact it comes from the name of a street in Jamaica, which means some trivial things in daily life. Trivial things. Early reggae music was actually a way for a group of poor people living in the city to express protest, so most of the content was about social revolution, or it was just a bunch of radical rhetoric. Sometimes you will really think that the lyrics are so bitter and ironic!

However, of course not every lyric is so indignant. There are also some lyrics that convey justice, hope and noble and great love! In the 1940s, the main audio equipment of reggae music, such as turntables, amplifiers and large speakers, could be moved on trucks. This not only made it easier for performers to perform around, but also made reggae music more enjoyable. For universal. Reggae music was very popular in Jamaica in 1960, and this kind of music gradually became popular in various discos. In the dance hall, the D.J adds a lot of Rap to the reggae music. This not only strengthens the rhythm of the music, but also makes the dancing people more energetic!

Music Development

Bob Marley and his band are the originators of Reggae music. As the film soundtrack successfully spread to the United States, it gradually influenced white musicians. Traces of reggae music can often be found in rock and rap music. After Bob Marley's death, reggae music gradually declined. It was not until the 1980s and 1990s that a new style of music emerged that combined rap music and reggae music. This new music style called dub or toasting injected new life into reggae music. Bob's son - Ziggy Marley - was also a representative figure in the reggae scene during this time.

The influence of reggae music on world music

Although reggae music was formed in Jamaica as early as 1968, it is a local music type. However, in In '72, through the promotion of Island Records, these Jamaican musicians were able to make full use of advanced recording technology and marketing systems, and began to move towards internationalization.

Important figures:

Bob Marley: Some people call him the "Father of Reggae" and he is a Jamaican. His music was not widely praised by the world until his death (May 1981).

UB40: Started in Manchester, England, and is committed to promoting reggae music. Some people call them the "Godfather of Reggae". You can listen to their cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love".

Inner Circle, their representative singles include 1.Sweat (A La La La La Song) - an introduction to pure reggae music

Although there are only a few Jamaican music Hand music is popular around the world, but Reggae has had a profound influence on all kinds of other music over the past 20 years. Mainstream rock musicians from Eric Clapton and the Stones to the Clash and the Fugees have all incorporated Reggae into their music, with the greatest impact being on dance music. Jamaica's unique dancehall culture - million-watt sound system, unique "one-off" recording, emphasis on drum and bass, and the use of rap vocals overlaid on melody tracks, have influenced global dance culture, others Dub Remix is ??also widely imitated by popular music.