Discover the year's most critically acclaimed albums
Ska developed in the 1950s as a modern mix of mento and calypso, featuring rolling basslines and infectious rhythms that played on the upbeat. This gave Jamaica and neighboring countries the first taste of a new era in Jamaican music, and was the direct predecessor to reggae.
One particular proclamation of Garvey's, "Look to Africa where a Black king will be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near," became regarded as a prophecy come true when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, King of Kings, and renamed Haile Selassie. This gave birth to the social and religious movement of Rastafari, many members of which believed Haile Selassie to be the second coming of Christ. Rastafarian beliefs would become central to the music and culture of Jamaica.
Two prominent genres of folk music in colonial Jamaica were mento and calypso. These Caribbean rhythms were the progenitors of early ska, roots reggae, and rocksteady.
Reggae rose from ska in the 1960s. Reggae distinguished itself from ska with a heavier focus on the rhythm section, more meaningful lyrics, and the noticeable influence of American styles such as blues and jazz.
Reggae has always been deeply and closely connected to sentiments of Black liberation and pride. The sentiments of Rastafari and, consequently, reggae can be traced back to the Pan-Africanist movement spearheaded by Jamaican native Marcus Garvey (pictured) in the 1920s, who pushed for a global unification of the Black diaspora and a movement back to Africa.
Most reggae has, since the beginning, dealt with themes related to the Rastafari religion, expressing the sentiments and beliefs of Rastafarians, as well as stories from Jamaica's history with colonialism and poverty, but also the strong patriotism and optimism that had grown out of the unity of the Jamaican people and the Rasta movement.
Desmond Dekker, known as the King of Ska, was for years the most successful ska singer of the 1960s. Dekker was also responsible for bringing Bob Marley to the attention of Jamaica's record labels.
The coinage of the term "reggae" is attributed to Toots Hibbert and his group Toots & the Maytals. The group started as a ska band, and seamlessly transitioned into reggae as one of the genre's first champions. In 1968, their track 'Do the Reggay' became the first instance of the use of the word, and the name just stuck.
While his name is widely known, Lee "Scratch" Perry's influence on reggae is often tragically understated. As both a musician and a producer, Perry's signature sounds have become an eternal staple of the genre. Every time you hear a snare drum echoing into the distance on a reggae track, classic or modern, just remember that that is all thanks to Perry.
And, of course, there is Bob Marley, far and away the most successful reggae musician of all time. Eternally and internationally beloved by countless millions, Bob Marley and his success as a solo artist made him the permanent figurehead for both reggae music and Rastafarianism.
The Wailers could be considered reggae's first supergroup. The three founding members of the band–Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh–would each go on to become reggae legends in their own right, but not before writing some of the most iconic reggae songs in history, such as 'Stir It Up' and 'Trenchtown Rock.'
After Bunny Wailer left the Wailers' core lineup to focus on his solo career, he consistently set the standard for deep roots reggae. Records such as 1976's 'Blackheart Man' are considered some of the greatest reggae albums of all time. By the time of his death in 2021, Wailer had been awarded three Grammys for Best Reggae Album.
One of the first majorly successful reggae bands not to come from Jamaica was Steel Pulse. Formed in Birmingham, England, around 1975, Steel Pulse breathed new life into the genre both sonically and lyrically. The compositions of Steel Pulse were clearer and more complex than their idols in Jamaica, and their lyrics offered a new and fresh perspective on the African diaspora outside of Jamaica.
Dennis Brown was also one of the most prolific and successful members of the first generation of reggae. With a music career that started at the tender age of 11, Brown would go on to release no less than 75 full studio albums. Brown also pioneered the subgenre of reggae known as lover's rock, which focuses less on the religious topics usually associated with reggae and more on all of the romance there is to be felt in the world.
Gregory Isaacs, known as the "Cool Ruler" of reggae, was one of the most successful reggae and lover's rock musicians of the 1970s and '80s, most famous for his 1980 hit 'Night Nurse.'
Through a career that lasted for nearly two decades through the '70s and '80s, Junior Murvin established himself as a reggae mainstay. Murvin's most famous song, still played and covered to this day, is 1976's 'Police and Thieves,' a track that also popularized the unique production techniques of Lee "Scratch" Perry.
The youngest son of Bob Marley, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley has proven to be a massively successful artist in his own right. He is best known for his seminal 2005 genre-bending record 'Welcome to Jamrock.'
Third World, a Jamaican group that fused elements of reggae, funk, and even disco into an entirely new and original sound, took the reggae world by storm in the 1970s with instantly classic albums like '96° in the Shade.' Third World continues to release music consistent in both frequency and quality.
Max Romeo moved to Kingston from the countryside of Jamaica at the young age of 18 to pursue a music career, and eventually found international success. His hit single 'Chase the Devil' is still recognized around the world from the very first iconic lines.
Yellowman, of King Yellowman, is a fixture in the reggae and dancehall communities. He is one of the greatest dancehall DJs and lyricists of the 1980s.
Part of reggae's second wave across the United Kingdom, UB40 stood out from the rest due in part to their multiethnic lineup. They became worldwide stars after the massive success of their 1983 cover of Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine.'
Early in her career, Marcia Griffiths was part of the I Threes, a backing singer group that supported Bob Marley and the Wailers. Later, Griffiths made a name for herself as one of the strongest female voices in a male-dominated genre. Her work as a solo performer has garnered Griffiths well-deserved respect for her incredible live shows and her smooth, powerful voice.
Classic roots reggae icon Horace Andy, sometimes affectionately called Sleepy, is one of the most prolific artists in the history of reggae. A legend in Jamaica since the late 1960s, Andy also found mainstream success through his collaborations with English trip-hop group Massive Attack in 1991.
Althea and Donna are two of the most famous women in reggae, and are some of the most internationally enjoyed Jamaican artists in the world. It's impossible not to sway whenever their hit song 'Uptown Top Ranking' comes on.
Hailing from Birmingham, England, Musical Youth was a group of Jamaican-English kids between the ages of 11 and 15 when their first and greatest single, 'Pass the Dutchie,' was released in 1982.
Sources: (Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage) (Reggae Times)
See also: The many musical styles of the Caribbean
Peter Tosh also found great success outside of the Wailers, releasing a number of successful solo records and dedicating his life and music to spreading the teachings of Rastafari.
Burning Spear, while maybe not as instantly recognizable as some of his contemporaries like Bob Marley, is reggae royalty. Arising during the golden age of reggae during the 1970s, Burning Spear (born Winston Rodney) is a devoted Rastari and Pan-Africanist, and has eloquently expressed his beliefs through his music from the 1970s through to the 21st century.
These sentiments resonated not only throughout Jamaica, but all throughout the Jamaican diaspora. It didn't take long for ska and reggae groups to start popping up internationally, particularly in England, which developed entirely new and innovative branches of ska, reggae, and rocksteady.
Ever since the 1970s, reggae music has enchanted the world and produced many copycats. The infectious rhythms and alternately fun and meaningful lyrics and much more makes this Jamaican genre of music enticing to just about everyone.
After skyrocketing to stardom, reggae legend Bob Marley became one of the most influential musicians and songwriters of all time, cementing himself in the hearts of innumerable people around the world. But besides Marley, who are the genre's biggest stars? And how exactly did this wonderful genre of music come about? For these answers and more, click on!
Bob and beyond: A short history of reggae and its greatest stars
Everything you need to know, from roots to rocksteady
MUSIC Genres
Ever since the 1970s, reggae music has enchanted the world and produced many copycats. The infectious rhythms and alternately fun and meaningful lyrics and much more makes this Jamaican genre of music enticing to just about everyone.
After skyrocketing to stardom, reggae legend Bob Marley became one of the most influential musicians and songwriters of all time, cementing himself in the hearts of innumerable people around the world. But besides Marley, who are the genre's biggest stars? And how exactly did this wonderful genre of music come about? For these answers and more, click on!