Musical History and Styles

 

The music of Jamaica includes Jamaican folk music and many popular genres, such as mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub music, dancehall, reggae fusion and related styles.

Reggae is especially popular through the international fame of Bob Marley. Jamaican music's influence on music styles in other countries includes the practice of toasting, which was brought to New York City and evolved into rapping. British genres such as Lovers rock, jungle music and grime are also influenced by Jamaican music.

​

Styles of Jamaican music

Mento
Calypso
Jazz
Ska
Djs and toasting
Rocksteady

Reggae

Reggae is one of few music genres first created in Jamaica. In the late 1960s, around the same time of toasting, reggae began to expand and infiltrate the ears and bodies of countless Jamaicans. The genre stems from early Ska and Rocksteady, but also has its own style of Jamaican authenticity, speaking about life ups and downs. Bob Marley is the most renowned reggae entrepreneur and still considers to have hits today.
In the late 1960s reggae emerged as a reinterpretation of American rhythm and blues. Reggae became popular around the world, due in large part to the international success of artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Marley was viewed as a Rastafarian messianic figure by some fans, particularly throughout the Caribbean, Africa, and among Native Americans and Australian Aborigines. His lyrics about love, redemption and natural beauty captivated audiences, and he gained headlines for negotiating truces between the two opposing Jamaican political parties (at the One Love Concert), led by Michael Manley (PNP) and Edward Seaga.

Dub

By 1973, dub music had emerged as a distinct reggae genre, and heralded the dawn of the remix. Developed by record producers such as Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, dub featured previously recorded songs remixed with prominence on the bass. Often the lead instruments and vocals would drop in and out of the mix, sometimes processed heavily with studio effects. King Tubby's advantage came from his intimate knowledge with audio gear, and his ability to build his own sound systems and recording studios that were superior to the competition. He became famous for his remixes of recordings made by others, as well as those he recorded in his own studio.
Dancehall and ragga

Reggae fusion

Non-Rastafarian Jamaican religious music

​

For more indepth information go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Jamaica