Reggae: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Reggae is an African Caribbean style of music developed on the island of Jamaica and is closely linked to the religion Rastafarianism, though not universally popular among its members. The origins of reggae can be found in traditional African Caribbean music as well as US R&B. Ska and rocksteady are 1960s precursors of reggae. In 1963 a young Jamaican boy named Jackie Mittoo was asked by a man named Coxsone Dodd to run sessions and compose original music at a studio on Brentford Rd. called Studio One. It was here at Studio One that Jackie Mittoo took the traditional ska beat and turned it into what we know know as reggae. Bob Marley, who later popularized the style on a world-wide basis, also recorded rocksteady records early in his career. The style of reggae he made famous is called roots reggae or roots rock reggae, and is still used by many artists such as Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, Culture, Israel Vibration, UB40, The Skatalites and Toots & the Maytals.

In Jamaica however, new styles are more popular, among them, dancehall and raggamuffin. Dub is an instrumental sub-style of reggae. Mixing techniques employed in dub probably influenced Hip hop, drum and bass and other styles. In any case, the toasting or dee jaying of raggamuffin reggae—first used by artists such as Dillinger or U- Roy—had a world-wide impact because Jamaican DJ Kool Herc used them as he came up with a new style later called hip hop or rap music. In the Jamaican sense of the word, a DJ is an MC or rapper, whereas the DJ is called (music) selector in Jamaica. Therefore what is called dee jaying or chatting in Jamaica is called rapping in most other parts of the world.

Reggae music festivals

Jamaican reggae music festivals

• Reggae Sunsplash, Ocho Rios, Jamaica,
• Sting reggae music festival, Kingston, Jamaica
• Reggae Sumfest, Montego Bay, Jamaica

International reggae music festivals

• LB27 Reggae Camp, Komarom, Hungary
• Reggae on the Rocks, Morrison, CO, USA,
• Soča Reggae Riversplash, Tolmin, Slovenia,
• Chiemsee Reggae Summer, Übersee, Germany
• Summerjam, Cologne, Germany
• MIDEM Reggae Showcase, Cannes, France
• Notting Hill Carnival, London, UK
• Spanish Reggae Festivals at Reggae News