The Roots and Origins of Reggae Music

Reggae is music that began in Jamaica in the 1950′s. Its origins grew from music called ska and from there it evolved into another form of music called rocksteady. The term reggae first came about in the late 1960s with a song called “Do the Raggay” by the Maytals. This music had a slow tempo and effected style that was a big hit in the United States. It was Bob Marley who took the music style and made it a household name with hits like “ One Love” and “Red, Red Wine.” Its influences can be traced to American jazz, traditional African music and good old rhythm and blues. Count Ossie is credited with progressing this genre of music. Count Ossie was born in a Rasta community where he learned hand drumming that is characterized in both ska and reggae music. Ska music is where reggae originated with its drums and fast tempo and characterized by a “walking bass” with an emphasized guitar sound or piano on the off beat. This rhythm is known as “skank.” In the late 1950s when ska was enjoying its popularity in Jamaica, young people would play their ska records at half speed to slow the tempo down. This slower tempo was the beginning of reggae and they called it rocksteady. This came from a song by the same name by Alton Ellis. While this phase only lasted until the late 60s, as the faster tempo was again becoming popular, and musicians added effects until it migrated into reggae. The first original reggae music released included “Nanny Goat” by Larry Marshall, but even the Beatles used the reggae rhythm in their 1968 song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La Da.” Reggae music began its influence into modern music where it stayed with current artists like Barrington Levy, Sizzla, and Anthony B.

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