ReggaEMusic and more…

Introduction• ReggaeReggae, genre of , genre of

contemporary Caribbean contemporary Caribbean music developed in music developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s, Jamaica in the late 1960s, one of the most influential one of the most influential styles of world popular styles of world popular musicmusic

• The term reggae is of The term reggae is of uncertain origin, but may uncertain origin, but may come from the Jamaican come from the Jamaican word for “ragged man” or word for “ragged man” or common person.common person.

The Start of Reggae• Reggae is a relatively young type of Reggae is a relatively young type of

music.  It did not get it's start until the late music.  It did not get it's start until the late 1960's or early 1970's.  The first actual 1960's or early 1970's.  The first actual use of the word reggae was in the song use of the word reggae was in the song "Do the Reggay" by the Maytals. "Do the Reggay" by the Maytals. 

• Reggae has come out of Jamaica and Reggae has come out of Jamaica and today it is referred to as all Jamaican today it is referred to as all Jamaican popular music.   popular music.   

Styles of Reggaevarious styles of reggae are;

Deejaying

Ska

Rocksteady

Dancehall

Ragga

Rumble

Ska

Rocksteady

SkaSka is the first major local Jamaican genre, is the first major local Jamaican genre, derived from American Jazz and R&B. It is derived from American Jazz and R&B. It is

characterised by a fast, syncopated characterised by a fast, syncopated rhythm guitar stroke, driving horns and rhythm guitar stroke, driving horns and boogie-style stand-up bass. Major ska boogie-style stand-up bass. Major ska artists include Laurel Aitken and Prince artists include Laurel Aitken and Prince

BusterBuster

Rocksteady• Rocksteady Rocksteady is a slower musical style. is a slower musical style.

Besides the slower pace, its main feature Besides the slower pace, its main feature is the electric bass, which takes on the is the electric bass, which takes on the position of lead instrument.. Major artists position of lead instrument.. Major artists include The Paragone and Desmond include The Paragone and Desmond Dekker. Dekker.

Deejaying

Deejaying

Dancehall

• DeejayingDeejaying is the Jamaican precursor to is the Jamaican precursor to hip hop, based on Deejays talking over hip hop, based on Deejays talking over instrumental tracks. Famous deejays from instrumental tracks. Famous deejays from the era include U-Roy and King Stitt. the era include U-Roy and King Stitt.

Ragga

Ragga

• This genre was developed around 1980. This genre was developed around 1980. The style is characterized by a The style is characterized by a deejaydeejay singing and rapping over raw and fast singing and rapping over raw and fast rhythms. the instrumentation primarily rhythms. the instrumentation primarily consists of electronic music and sampling. consists of electronic music and sampling.

Ragga• RaggaRagga, is electronic dancehall music. the , is electronic dancehall music. the

genre originally was produced on simple genre originally was produced on simple keyboards but eventually other keyboards but eventually other synthesisers have been added. Super Cat, synthesisers have been added. Super Cat, Shabba Ranks and Charlie Chaplin are Shabba Ranks and Charlie Chaplin are some of the well-known artists of the some of the well-known artists of the eighties and early nineties. eighties and early nineties.

Ramble

Ramble• Roots reggaeRoots reggae is perhaps the best-known form is perhaps the best-known form

of reggae today, with its Rastafarian message. of reggae today, with its Rastafarian message. Early reggae production is further developed Early reggae production is further developed with electronics and influences from with electronics and influences from contemporary western music. contemporary western music.

• Bob Marley is the internationally most famous Bob Marley is the internationally most famous exponent of the style.exponent of the style.

• The definition of roots reggae to most Jamaicans The definition of roots reggae to most Jamaicans was that it dealt with the life of the ghetto was that it dealt with the life of the ghetto sufferer, it had a reality to it. sufferer, it had a reality to it.

Reggae Lyrics

Reggae Beat and Reggae Beat and LyricsLyrics

Reggae is either played in 4/4 time or swing time, because the symmetrical rhythmic pattern does not lend itself to other time signatures such as 3/4 time. Harmonically, the music is often very simple, and sometimes a whole song will have no more than one or two chords. These simple repetitive chord structures add to reggae's sometimes hypnotic effects.

Reggae around the Reggae around the WorldWorld

Reggae has had great Reggae has had great influence in the political influence in the political affairs of Jamaica.  Bob affairs of Jamaica.  Bob Marley even brought Marley even brought together Michael Manley together Michael Manley and Edward Seaga, two and Edward Seaga, two rival political leaders. rival political leaders. 

Instruments often used in Instruments often used in ReggaeReggae

• drums and bass and guitar • keyboard and vocals• Saxophones, trumpets, even bongos• Horns

Reggae Musicians

Ziggy Marley Lucky Dube

ShaggyBob Marley

Eve

Queen LatifahLauryn HillAlpha BlondyRita MaarleyJimmy Cliff

Reggae Musicians

UB-40

Sheila HyltonErykha Badu

Reggae Musicians

Musicians who have been influenced by the rhythms of

reggae