The Variety of Reggae Music (Headphones Needed)
Within the genre of Reggae music there are four distinct sub-genres: Dancehall, Dub, Roots Reggae and Ska. Reggae is always played in 4/4 time or swing time because the symmetrical rhythm pattern does not lend itself to other time signatures such as 3/4 time. The music is often also very simple, and sometimes a whole song will have no more than one or two chords. Each sub-genre typically use the same set of instruments: the bass, drums, guitars, vocals etc.
- Dancehall: Is Jamaica’s most common subgenre of music, It is characterized by it’s fast paced rhythm. (FUN FACT: The word “bashment”, a term originating in the 1990s, is used to describe a particularly good dance; for example “to go to a bashment dance”) In the early 1990s songs by Dawn Penn, Shabba Ranks and Patra were the first Dancehall songs shared with the US.
- Here’s an example of Reggae Dancehall
- Dub: consists of instrumental remixes of existing recordings and is achieved by manipulating and reshaping the recordings, usually by removing the vocals from an existing music piece, and emphasizing the drum and bass parts (this stripped-down track is sometimes referred to as a ‘riddim’). Once a riddim has been created it can be used by several artists who will then make a song of their own using the riddim as the melody. Sly and Robbie are a perfect example of Dub artists, one of their most famous Riddim is called “Taxi Riddim” — which also happens to be my favorite riddim.
- Here is a collection of songs made out of the “Taxi Riddim” – Taxi Riddim Mix (1989)
- Roots Reggae: In my previous blogs I talked about how reggae music has deep roots in the Jamaican culture and Rasta religion, this is know as Roots reggae. It is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and the honoring of Jah by Rastafari. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer,and the rural poor. Some themes in roots reggae include spirituality and religion, poverty, black pride, social issues, resistance to government and racial oppression, and repatriation to Africa. Bob Marley is a great example of Roost Reggae, other artists include Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, Garnett Silk and more currently Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Capelton, Buju Banton and many many more!
- Here is an example of Roots Reggae: Garnett Silk Live!
- Ska: Ska is the oldest sub-genre of reggae, it originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s because after World War II, Jamaicans purchased radios in increasing numbers and were able to hear rhythm and blues music from Southern United States cities such as New Orleans by artists such as Fats Domino and Louis Jordan. This Rhythm and Blues influence was the precursor to reggae music. It combines elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska and Rocksteady are basically the same thing and often times you’ll here them interchangeably.
- Here is an example of Ska/Rocksteady: Rocksteady Mix.
Below are pictures that all relate to reggae music (artists,instruments, sub-genres and riddims)
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One Response to “The Variety of Reggae Music (Headphones Needed)”
I did not know there were so many sub-genres I will definitely have to explore this realm of music!