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Reggae music has gained widespread popularity since its inception in Jamaica around the 1960s. It derived from other popular styles of music at that time including dancehall, rocksteady, ska and jazz, as well as Top 40 hits in the United States and Europe.

Themes in Reggae Music Lyrics

Because a lot of reggae music developed in Jamaica during a time of great social and political unrest, a great many reggae songs deal with themes of slavery, poverty, religion, revolution and pride in one’s race. Some notable Read the rest of this entry »

The magical rhythm that is essential to reggae music, the rhythm that places you immediately in a tropical mindset, is actually much simpler than the average musician may think. The average musician will already have the skills involved; they just need to learn how to learn how the beats work.

This can be done through the use of a metronome. Starting at a low beat is essential when you first venture into these waters. Place the beat on a number like forty or fifty, and get ready to transform your playing.

On the actual beat, you shouldn’t Read the rest of this entry »

A wide variety of Jamaican reggae party favors are available for parties of all sizes. While listening to Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Peter Tosh and Burning Spear in a warm and mellow atmosphere, party-goers can admire and enjoy using reggae party favors.

To help set the tone at any reggae-themed party, inflatable palm trees of varying sizes can be placed throughout the party area. Tissue palm trees, cardboard palm tree standees and palm tree mylar balloons are also available. Large and small personalized party banners can be hung almost anywhere and reggae-inspired tablecovers Read the rest of this entry »

Reggae is perhaps one of the most loved and misunderstood genres of music. Similar to other ethnic forms of music to natives the term reggae encompasses more than the enjoyment of a musical experience. It actually is considered a lifestyle.

The common term Rasta is short for Rasafari. A Rastafari is actually a participant in a religious movement. Those who listen to the sounds of Reggae artists such as RasCue or Rasta Cue Tip and Read the rest of this entry »

Reggae music has been popular since the 1970s when Bob Marley scored hits with the U.S. public, but can you recognize Reggae music when you hear it? The answer is simple. Listen for the 4/4 beat, the drums and often the tell-tale Jamaican or island accent. Not sure what that means? Hum a few bars of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, one of the best-loved, commercialized Reggae songs.

Reggae music is often characterized by the guitar or piano playing on the offbeat. This helps explain it more. This is accompanied by a noticeable third beat emphasis. Again, if you remember “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, you will notice a third tell-tale feature: the bass line that is syncopated. Of course, you can’t have Reggae without drums. Many think that it has a drugged sound, but this is related more to Bob Marley’s image. The music itself is often intelligent and edgy.

Reggae lyrics are often angry about politics and society. You may remember the 1974 Eric Clapton hit “I Shot the Sheriff’ by Bob Marley. So if the beat is like “Don’t Worry”, but the words are angry and political, it is very likely Reggae.

Reggae is a truly original way to make a musical statement.

Reggae has a long history and many influential artists have come and gone during this time. Like all music it has evolved over time but it still has the signature sound that only reggae artists can reproduce. This is why certain artists with unique new sounds have risen to the top and have had an outstanding fan base. These are some of the greatest old and new reggae artists.

Bob Marley of course is the most popular reggae artist of all time. He changed the way people Read the rest of this entry »