Cultural Significance Of Reggae In Jamaica

Running head: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 1

Cultural Significance of Reggae in Jamaica

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CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 2

Cultural significance of reggae in Jamaica

Introduction

Reggae represents a genre of music created in Jamaica in 1960s. There is the necessity

for noting that the term ‘reggae’ often refers to a specific style of music that arose from the

creation of rock steady and ska (Stratton, 2010). Reggae is usually faster than rock but slower

than ska. Reggae often accent the second and fourth beats in every bar with the rhythm guitars

ensuring emphasis of the third beats or holding the chords on the second beats until the time of

playing the fourth beat. The significance of reggae music amongst the Jamaicans is evident in its

being a source of identity, a platform for the Jamaicans to highlight some of the life experiences

and an effective way of engaging with the public.

Source of Identity

Reggae serves as a way through which the Jamaicans maintain their identity. The social

effect of reggae music has made a significant influence on the Jamaican life. Reggae often plays

a crucial role in facilitating comprehension of both the Jamaican way of life and culture for the

other segments of the world (Rhiney & Cruse, 2012). Reggae as well serves as an important tool

for celebrating both the nationalism and life (Walker, 2013). Studies suggest that the Jamaican

music has remained inseparable to the people for as long as it has existed and such is attributable

to the environment.

Instruments

The different instruments commonly adopted by the different artists often play a

significant role in making reggae music reggae. Some of the common instruments include the

bongo, drum, piano, keyboard, clavinet, organ, bass guitar and guitar. The different artists often

use different instruments depending on their preference. The bass guitar often provides the firm

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 3

full sound to the music. The bass guitar often introduces unity to the different instruments. The

bass guitar often serves as the glue that holds the other instruments that the artists use.

The root of reggae stems from the ancient conditions of both the Jamaican colonialism

and slavery by the diverse countries. The majority of the Jamaicans are the descendants from

Africa taken to Jamaica by the English as slaves. The availability of the plantations in Jamaica

ensured its identification as a valuable colony to conquer. However, the abolishment of slavery

eventually occurred in the 1830s and after a century, the Jamaicans started to gain some form of

control over their country. The history of Jamaica thus depicts a tale of human suffering,

immoral profits, sad intrigue at which the African slaves remain the ancestors. Reggae music

thus often plays a significant role in ensuring effective reflection of this heritage in their folk

music from the start (White, 2015). Besides its capacity to ensure reflection of the retentions of

the people from Africa, reggae as well identifies some of the experiences acquired by the people

from the various nations transcending their history. Therefore, there is the necessity for

acknowledging that the form of the reggae music often deals with both the social and racial

issues encountered during the history of Jamaica. The primary concern often highlighted in the

reggae music entails truths, rights, and the legacies of colonialism.

One of the most influential reggae artists is Bob Marley. Majority of the music presented

by Bob Marley focuses on exposing the political problems that faces the minorities and expresses

social discontent. Such is evident in his lyrics of the song “Trench town.” ‘Most of them come

from Trench Town/We free the people with music, sweet music/Can we free the people with

music’ (Marley, 1983)

Additionally, there it is necessary to note that reggae has undergone numerous

transformations during its history evident in its themes and styles. However, the masses exhibit

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 4

the preference for its use as the music for expressing resistance to poverty and oppression. For a

majority of the Jamaicans, music entails the few approaches through which the underprivileged

are capable of creating unique black Jamaican identity for them. The reggae music, thus, often

plays a significant role in providing the Jamaicans with an opportunity for remembering the

periods of suffering, frustration, and dehumanization under the rule of the white man. Moreover,

there is the necessity for noting that all through the years, the reggae music and its lyrics have

increased in both revolutionary and political nature. For instance, in the 1970s, the reggae music

was regarded as the actual depiction of the historical experiences of the Jamaican peasants,

working class, and the unemployed. The lyrics mainly focused on discussing some of the themes

that included homelessness, oppression, political violence, racial discrimination, crime, and

economic shortages.

Expression

Additionally, the genre often appeals to the regular citizens and is often adopted in

reference to the Jamaicans in their expression of the different issues that they encounter. The

regular people are individuals that on numerous instances do not have what they want.

Previously, the reggae songs focused more on love but, presently, there is evidence suggesting a

significant change in focus. Presently the songs tend to focus on the spiritual, social, and political

notions. The Jamaican musicians, therefore, tend to appear more as prophets and social

commentators. The individuals of the lower social class, thus, identify with these types of songs

as a way of having their voices heard and being able to ensure effective expression of their true

feelings concerning the conditions that affect them and the rest of their nation (Pike, 2012).

Moreover, music often influences the lives of the Jamaicans significantly. The claim is

predominantly true for the individuals from the lower class that forms the majority of the

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 5

country’s citizens. Prior to the commencement of the recording industry in Jamaica, the

Jamaicans were capable of ensuring effective maintenance of their traditions from one generation

to the other through music. Henceforth, music was commonly played at the different social

events, religious occasions, work, and funerals. However, there is the necessity for noting that

these folk songs were not recorded but influenced the forms of contemporary reggae

significantly.

Rastafari Influence

The Rastafari made a substantial contribution to the cultural implications of the reggae

music. Such represents the time whereby the main theme of focus was the repatriation to Africa.

It served as both the symbol of pride and identity amongst the different groups of individuals.

The most notable effect of Rastafari was evident in the narrative of the personalities assumed by

the reggae artists. The Rastafari experience was strongly evident in the performances, lyrics, and

lives of the reggae artists. The influence saw the shift in significance from being just a source of

entertainment but served as a medium for social and political remarks. As such, reggae music

posed a significant threat to the Jamaican government. The importance of the period entails

awakening of the Jamaicans to a new age of consciousness whereby every individual became

capable of experiencing a fundamental transformation of identity. Moreover, the period played a

significant role in allowing the African Jamaicans to ensure the development of black pride and

speak out against the injustices experienced in their nations (Stratton, 2010). Besides the creation

of new identity for the people, the Reggae served as a new voice for the different groups of

individuals, ensured the emergence of new form of presenting oneself and developing of a new

relations between the African-Jamaican cultures.

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Additionally, thepeople interested in ensuring effective comprehension of the

contemporary Jamaican life and literature need to construe reggae as a cultural phenomenon. As

a cultural phenomenon, reggae has ensured effective engagement of the racial, erotic, spiritual,

social, and political dynamic of the Jamaican society. The comprehension of the role of reggae in

the contemporary society, thus, entails comprehension of the convolution and reality of the

seemingly popular culture in the late twentieth century.

Examination of the Development of the Caribbean Society

Moreover, the genre is an appropriate way of ensuring effective examination of the

social, political and cultural development of the Caribbean society. Reggae influences the

Caribbean literature and plays a significant role in representing the seemingly complex aesthetic

force. The music often plays a significant role in influencing the psychology, emotions, and

intellect. Moreover, the lyrics have the potential of assuaging loneliness or ensuring effective

incitement of the passions of individuals. The reggae artists are famous for some of the traits that

include poetry and polemics always focusing on unshackling themselves from the seemingly

capitalist colonial powers of the contemporary society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reggae is strongly associated with contentment. The experiences of the

reggae music and different party scenes have been developed, especially in the 90’s during the

emergence of the dancehall reggae and its development to the present nature. Reggae music

often plays a significant role in entertaining the people from the diverse backgrounds. Reggae is

infectiously inviting people to dance to the beat. Moreover, the strong influence of reggae is

evident in its adoption by the Jamaican government in the promotion of both its social and

political goals. Many individuals have ensured the use of reggae during the campaign periods

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 7

and in political rallies as well. The government is also on record for using the reggae music in

revitalizing the fading economy through the attraction of tourists to Jamaica. The Rastafarian

culture and reggae music,thus, serve as the valuable culture of the island.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REGGAE IN JAMAICA 8

References

Bob Marley (1983.) Confrontation, Polygram Records “Chant down Babylon,” and

“Trenchtown”

Pike, J. (2012). 50 years of movies and music in Jamaica. Travel Agent, 34029-31.

Rhiney, K., & Cruse, R. (2012). "Trench town rock": Reggae music, landscape inscription, and

the making of place in Kingston, Jamaica. Urban Studies Research, 1-12.

doi:10.1155/2012/585160

Stratton, J. (2010). Skin deep: Ska and reggae on the racial faultline in Britain, 1968-

1981. Popular Music History, 5(2), 191-215. doi:10.1558/pomh.v5i2.191

Walker, B. (2013). The encyclopedia of reggae: The Golden Age of roots reggae. Library

Journal, 138(1), 93.

White, C.J. (2015). Strangers in paradise: Trevor, Marley, and Me: Reggae music and the

foreigner other. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 25(2), 176-193.

doi:10.1080/10481885.2015.1013831

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