Reggae music is an infectious, rhythmic style that has seduced many music fans across the world. Originating in Jamaica, reggae is a genre that has a rich cultural heritage, drawing influences from various musical and social movements. Its roots can be traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when ska and rocksteady were popular homegrown dance styles.
Ska and rocksteady were heavily influenced by American R&B and jump blues, but they also incorporated other sounds such as Mento, a type of Jamaican folk music, and nyabinghi, a religious drumming style.
As reggae developed and evolved, it became increasingly tied to the history of Rastafarianism, a spiritual and political movement that was gaining momentum in Jamaica since the 1930s. This movement, which was particularly popular among the island’s poor, sought to promote freedom, equality, and peace as well as the diaspora’s resettlement in Africa. Its profound message found expression in reggae music. Bob Marley was the most important reggae artist of the early reggae era, and would go on to become the most famous reggae artist of all time.
Bob Marley’s music and message of peace, love, and unity continue to influence and inspire people around the world, decades after his death. He is often credited with bringing reggae music to a global audience, and his effect on the genre and popular culture cannot be overstated. Marley’s mix of soulful melodies, powerful lyrics, and upbeat grooves has earned him a place in the pantheon of music legends, and his music remains popular and relevant to this day.
Reggae’s unique sound is instantly recognizable and has truly stood the test of time.
Here is a list of some of the most popular and influential reggae artists of all time: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Alpha Blondy, Desmond Dekker, Bunny Wailer, Marcia Griffiths, Third World, Lucky Dube, Dawn Penn, Beres Hammond, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, and Sizzla.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many other talented and deserving reggae artists who have made significant contributions to the genre.
(headline image: Bob Marley)
Reggae Books:
Babylon East: Performing Dancehall, Roots Reggae, and Rastafari in Japan – Marvin Sterling
Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King – Lloyd Bradley
Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius – Kwame Dawes
Bob Marley: The Stories Behind Every Song – Maureen Sheridan
Bob Marley: The Untold Story – Chris Salewicz – Don Taylor
Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley – Timothy White
Dub in Babylon: The Emergence and Influence of Dub Reggae in Jamaica and Britain From King Tubby to Post Punk – Christopher Partridge
Dub: Soundscapes and Shattered Songs in Jamaican Reggae – Michael E. Veal
Dubwise: Reasoning from the Reggae Underground – Klive Walker
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry: Kiss Me Neck: The Scratch Story in Words, Pictures and Records – Jeremy Collingwood
Marley Legend: An Illustrated Life of Bob Marley – James Henke
No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley – Rita Marley
One Love: Life with Bob Marley and the Wailers – Lee Jaffe
People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee Scratch Perry – David Katz
Positive Vibrations: Politics, Politricks and the Story of Reggae – Stuart Borthwick
Rastafari and Reggae: A Dictionary and Sourcebook – Rebekah Michele Mulvaney
Reggae & Caribbean Music: Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion – Dave Thompson
Reggae Bloodlines – Stephen Davis
Reggae discography (Minotaurus Projekt) – Hermann Moter
Reggae Explosion – Chris Salewicz & Adrian Boot
Reggae International – Stephen Davis
Reggae Island: Jamaican Music In The Digital Age – Brian Jahn
Reggae, Rasta, Revolution – Chris Potash, Ed.
Reggae Soundsystem: Original Reggae Album Cover Art: A Visual History of Jamaican Music From Mento to Dancehall – Stuart Baker
Reggae: The Story of Jamaican Music – Lloyd Bradley
Roots Rock Reggae: An Oral History of Reggae Music from Ska to Dancehall – Chuck Foster
So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley – Roger Steffens
Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae – David Katz
Songbirds: Pioneering Women in Jamaican Music – Heather Augustyn
Steppin’ Razor: The Life of Peter Tosh – John Masouri
Stir It Up: Reggae Album Cover Art – Chris Morrow
The Encyclopedia of Reggae: The Golden Age of Roots Reggae – Mike Alleyne
The Natural Mystics: Marley, Tosh, and Wailer – Colin Grant
The Rough Guide to Reggae – Steve Barrow
This is Reggae Music – Lloyd Bradley
Tighten Up!: The History of British Reggae – Michael de Koningh
Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley’s Wailers – John Masouri
Wake the Town and Tell the People – Norman Stolzoff
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.