Definition of reggae - What it is, Meaning and Concept

Reggae is an English term that allows you to name a musical style that originated in Jamaica during the decade of 1960 .a genre that derives from the rocksteady and the ska and whose main characteristic is the constant repetition of its rhythm .

For example: "My favorite music is reggae" , "My brother's band has a very particular style, which combines blues and pop with reggae influences ", " Never has a reggae group played in such a large stadium in this country ".

One of the pioneer reggae groups was The Wailers , founded in 1963 and with famous members like Peter Tosh and Bob Marley .This last one is the greatest icon of reggae and Jamaican music in general.Died in 1981 , Marley immorta He wrote reggae songs like "No woman, no cry" , "Lively up yourself" and "Three little birds" , among many others.

Among the peculiarities of reggae, its strong link with issues that have nothing to do with music stands out.Reggae is often associated with the Rastafarian current , whose followers they believe that Haile Selassie I (last emperor of the Ethiopian nation) is the reincarnation of God (whom they know as Jah ).According to this movement, the Black people and their descendants will be guided to the promised land called Mount Zion .

The use of braids or dreadlocks , which are often covered with a knitted cap called tam ; the clothing with colors of the Ethiopia flag (red, yellow and green); and the consumption of marijuana are part of the Rastafarian idiosyncrasy and reggae itself.

Main representatives of reggae

Bob Marley

Considered the father of this musical style, he was a composer, singer and guitarist who began his career in the mid-60s and became famous a decade later, when he released with the Wailers the album entitled « Soul Rebels «.This reggae legend died in 1981 because of a melanoma.

Peter Tosh

Another of the great names of reggae, began his career with Bob Marley, in the band The Wailers and highlighted his practice of the Rastafarian doctrine.In 1987, he was killed while a robbery occurred in his own home.

Jimmy Cliff

He was a singer and songwriter who started in reggae in the 70s and achieved great notoriety for his collaborations in the world of cinema as a composer of soundtracks, being « Hakuna Matata »By El Rey Leon one of his most remembered works.

Steel Pulse

This English band was founded in 1975 and marked the way for many others who bet on reggae outside of Jamaica, and was undoubtedly the most famous of their land.

Bunny Wailer

He was another member of the legendary band The Wailers and his talents included percussion, singing and composition.In 1976 he began his solo career and is recognized as a cultivator of reggae Roots.

Black Uhuru

Another of the big reggae groups from Jamaica.Black Uhuru in particular stands out for being one of the first to win a Grammy.On the other hand, he also made news on more than one occasion because of his numerous separations.

Gregory Isaacs

He became known in 1968 by releasing his album entitled " Another Heartache ".He was a singer and songwriter, and a pioneer of the reggae genre.

UB40

It is another of the reggae groups of English origin.It is a precursor of the pop reggae , and was formed in 1978, although it took him a decade to achieve fame.