Reggae Music

Reggae music began in the early 1960's when musicians from the tiny island of Jamaica in the West Indies took some of the music that they had been hearing from places like New Orleans and Miami, and changed it.

The popular music on the island at that time was Ska, and Rock Steady, both of which had roots in the native folk music known as Mento. These styles were unique because of their syncopated rhythms; the beat and accents were played opposite from where American musicians would play it.

First, these Jamaican musicians would take American Rhythm & Blues music, and syncopate the beat. This has been described as turning the music inside out, or upside down. Then, they would make the Bass guitar a featured instrument in the song. Finally, they would add muted, scratchy sounding Electric guitars, pulsating keyboards, and percussion. The result became known as Reggae music, which is more popular today than ever.

Reggae music makes you feel good! It's fun and easy to bend your knees and move your waist to the slow, easy rhythms, especially on a hot, sunny day! That's why we, the Good Rockin' Daddies, wrote our song, ReCycle It in the Reggae style.

Some Artists that made Reggae Music popular:

Bob Marley, The biggest Reggae star ever!, "Roots, Rock, Reggae"
Jimmy Cliff, "The Harder They Come"
Toots and the Maytals, Recorded first Reggae song, "Do The Reggay"
Johnny Nash, "I Can see Clearly Now", "Stir It Up"
Ziggy Marley, Son of Bob Marley, "Tomorrow People"

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