Factors that influenced its inception Significant artists/bands/producers Important recordings/performances/events • Reggae emerged in Jamaica from its

predecessors Ska and Rocksteady and was performed at a slower tempo with a more laid-back feel.

• After Jamaica’s independence, people flocked from the countryside to Kingston, seeking work and settling into shanty towns. With high unemployment, Jamaican ‘rude boys’ (disaffected youths on the street) arose and became regular subject matter.

• The roots Reggae style incorporated elements of the Rastafarian religion into the lyrics, with a political message concerning the plight of the underprivileged Jamaican.

• Engineer-producers such as King Tubby and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry worked with ‘dub’ recording techniques – creating dub versions of songs which were also later used to ‘toast’ over.

Duke Reid & Coxsone Dodd: producers who helped to slow the tempo of ska, to form rock steady. Toots & the Maytals: pioneered the Reggae sound Bob Marley and The Wailers: Became the defining sound of roots Reggae (Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer & Peter Tosh). Helped Reggae to reach a global audience. Jimmy Cliff: gained international fame as the star of the movie ‘The Harder They Come ‘. Chris Blackwell: Founded Island Records in Jamaica but relocated to London. Clement Dodd: Studio One producer, recorded The Wailers 1st track ‘Simmer Down’. UB40: British Reggae Band, gave Reggae a fresher sound.

1962: Jamaica became independent. ‘My boy lollipop, Millie Small (1964): early reggae success in British charts ‘Rudy a message to you’, Dandy (1967) – example of a ‘rudeboy’ song. ‘Do the reggay’, The Maytals (1968): early use of the term ‘reggae. The Israelites, Desmond Dekker (1969) ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’, Jimmy Cliff (1969) 1972: Blackwell signed Bob Marley & the Wailers. 1973: The Harder they come (film) was released ‘No Woman no Cry’, Bob Marley (1974) ‘I shot the Sheriff’, Eric Clapton (1974): Cover of Marley’s song which was a big hit and inspired many listeners to look up Marley’s music. Freedom Fighters, Delroy Washington (1976) ‘One Love’, Bob Marley (1977) 1978: Bob Marley brings 2 opposing leaders together at ‘One Love’ concert in a bid to encourage peace.

Imagery & fashion associated with the style Musical Features Associated fashions included the colours of the Jamaican flag: green, gold, red and black – each colour

symbolizing a different thing, associated with the Rastafarian religion. Dreadlocks are also common features

Slow tempo with a laid-back feel. The bass guitar and percussion are brought to the foreground, and guitar and keyboards sent back in the mix, exchanging the traditional roles of these instruments. A Reggae bassline is very melodic and often the defining feature. It normally avoids the first beat of the bar. Drums also avoid beat 1, preferring to stress beat 3. The guitar mostly plays chords on the offbeat, beats 2 and 4. Piano & organ also play on the offbeat. Horns sometimes add countermelodies and would normally be made up of Sax, Trumpet and Trombone.