Reggae is a genre of music developed in the late 1960s in Jamaica. The genre is characterised by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, the organ shuffle or "bubble", and staccato guitar (or piano) chords known as "skank". Reggae developed out of Ska and Rocksteady, and bears strong influences from those genres. Elements of American Rhythm & Blues, as well as traditional Caribbean Calypso and Mento are also present in the original reggae sound. The Rastafari movement significantly influenced reggae's rhythm style with its ritual drumming called Nyahbinghi. Many famous reggae musicians were practicing Rastas including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Cedric Myton. Contemporary reggae has spread to many countries around the world, often fusing with other regional genres. This was due largely to the worldwide success of Roots Reggae artists like Bob Marley, which inspired the Pop Reggae of artists such as Jimmy Cliff and UB40. This globalisation was also a result of Lee "Scratch" Perry and Dub's influence on Electronic music.
Total Tracks
79
Active Years
1956–2025
Peak Decade
1990s
Shaggy