Reggae

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the history and development of the music genre, reggae. In order to understand reggae, the paper also describes other genres of Jamaican music. It then discusses the instrumental tracks and musical dynamics of reggae music. The paper finally looks at the three main categories that reggae drumbeats are grouped into and its two sub-genres.

From the Paper:

"The supplementary subgenre of reggae is Dancehall, which is a type of Jamaican popular music that developed around 1980 through the likes of such artists as Yellowman, Super Cat, and Shabba Ranks (Chang, 30). Today, it is known to many as "Bashment". This style of reggae can be seen by a deejay singing and rapping or toasting over raw and danceable music riddims. The rhythm in dancehall is much faster than in reggae, whereas drum machines replaces acoustic sets. Dancehall as a musical genre, has been considered as the creation of Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1979 and further refined by King Jammy in the early 80's during their transition from dub to dancehall and original attempts to digitize "hooks" to "toast" over by Jamaican deejays (pg. 30). . Dancehall also developed in Jamaica as a result of varying political and socio-economic factors when Jamaicans became dissatisfied with the socialist movement and the harsh economic realities of the time. As a result, neo-liberalist ideologies and materialism become a factor in society and a new entertainment form. Dancehall is an integral part of the Jamaican life and has become a foundation or culture in which music, dance and community vibes come together."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chang, Brian and Wayne Chen. Reggae Roots. Ian Randle Publishers: Jamaica , 1997.
• Foster, Chuck. Roots Rock Reggae: An Oral History of Reggae Music from Ska to Dancehall. New York: Billboard, 1999.

More papers on Reggae:

• Essay # 106974 : "Reggae Music"
• Analytical Essay # 8250 : "Bob Marley"
• Research Paper # 49420 : "Jamaican Music"

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