Reggae Music

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in 1968, a new form of music, blended from a religious movement, Rastafarian, and numerous musical influences such as rhythm and blues, rock steady, African, and ska, emerged in Jamaica and spread quickly throughout the world. The writer then explains that this music, known as reggae, defined a nation of people for decades and helped develop various musical movements worldwide. This paper discusses the history of reggae and the major artists of the art form. Further, the writer discusses how the art has changed, both in its original nation as well as how the music has been altered for American audiences. This paper includes copied sources.

From the Paper:

"Reggae music, born of a combination of R&B, blues, jazz, and traditional African music, and combined with a religious tradition, was unique to Jamaica at a time when the country was looking for her identity. The combination of political messages, religious connotation, and raw sound was ideal for the changing society of the time. However, to be pushed to international stardom, the music was altered and rerecorded by milder, less powerful white British artists who helped internationalize the genre. The end result, however, was that it would take many years for true reggae to reach international audiences, complete with the ideology and messages the music was intended to portray. While the British musicians helped popularize the culture, it would take Bob Marley and many others decades to bring the true message of reggae music to international light."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Connell, John. Sound Tracks: Popular Music, Identity, and Place. London: Routledge, 2002. Questia. 7 May 2007 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103320803>.
• Everything Jamaican. "The History of Reggae Music." Jamaica. Everything Jamaican. 2004. 7 May 2007. < http://www.everytingjamaican.com/jamaica/>.
• Farred, Grant. What's My Name? Black Vernacular Intellectuals. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2003. Questia. 7 May 2007 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=109751409>.
• Bays, Barry T. Reggae, Rastafari, and the Rhetoric of Social Control. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 2002. Questia. 7 May 2007 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=106845661>.
• Winders, James A. "Reggae, Rastafarians and Revolution: Rock Music in the Third World." American Popular Music: Readings from the Popular Press. Ed. Timothy E. Scheurer. Vol. 2. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1989. 225-239. Questia. 7 May 2007 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101093506>.

More papers on Reggae Music:

• Term Paper # 96887 : "Reggae"
• Research Paper # 49420 : "Jamaican Music"
• Descriptive Essay # 104342 : "Music Superstar Bob Marley"

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