Everything You Need to Know About Reggae Music

A brief history of the reggae music

There is so much speculation as to the true origins of the reggae music and you will get lots of varied information about it that may confuse you. To set the record straight, reggae music has its roots with Africa and its people. Reggae music was developed in Jamaica by the descendants of the African slaves that were taken to the island during the slavery period. The many African slaves that were taken to Jamaica were from diverse backgrounds and had their own musical forms. When they were put together in Jamaica, they unified these music forms and borrowed some little bit of Western musical forms to create what we now refer to as reggae music.

When exactly was reggae music created?

The exact date when this form of music was created or formed cannot categorically be pinpointed. It is however acknowledged by many reggae music fans and enthusiasts that it must have started around the 60s. This depends on what individual believe may have been the right date when the music was formed.

The confusion regarding reggae music identification

There is always the perception that every kind of music that comes from Jamaica is reggae music. Many people usually take any musical artists from the Island Nation to be a reggae music artist. This perception is however misleading because there are various different forms of music practiced by different music artists from the island.

The kind of music that was done by the legendary musician Bob Marley, Joseph Hill, Peter Tosh, and the likes is purely reggae music. There are genres by Busy Signal, Allaine, Shaggy, and others that although may sound like reggae are just derivatives. They belong to another class that is commonly known as Ragga.

Fanatical Following of the Reggae Music

Reggae music indeed has got a massive following and most of the fans of reggae music classify themselves differently. There are extreme fans of the genre while there are moderate fans of the music. The extreme followers of the reggae music proscribe themselves to a cult known as the Ratafari. This group of people makes claims that they have their God and refer to him as the Jah. Rafaris identify themselves by putting dreadlocks and leading a lifestyle of their own. A true Rastafari for instance is prohibited from eating meat. They are strictly vegetarians who eat more vegetables and fruits.

Run-ins with the law

Because of the extreme nature of the Rastafri movement, groups from different countries who subscribe to the sect have had run-ins with the law. There are cases where some countries have banned musicians associated with extreme form reggae music.

Rastafari people for instance believe in the use of marijuana for its healing properties and this herb is illegal in most countries. An example of an artist of the reggae music having run in with the law is Buju Banton who was incarcerated in the US for marijuana related cases.