REGGAE

The history of the genre• Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late

1960s.• the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style

that originated following on the development of Ska and Rocksteady.

•  Reggae is based on a rhythmic style characterized by regular beats on the off-beat, known as the skank. Reggae is normally slower than ska, and usually has accents on the first and third beat in each bar.

• Reggae song lyrics deal with many subjects, including religion, love, sexuality, peace, relationships, poverty, injustice and other social and political issues.

•  The word reggae as a musical term first appeared in print with the 1968 rocksteady hit "Do the Reggay" by The Maytals, but it was already being used in Kingston

Key artists in the development of the genre

The Wailers, a band started by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in 1963, is perhaps the most recognized band that made the transition through all three stages of early Jamaican popular music: Ska, Rocksteady and reggae. Other significant reggae pioneers include Prince Buster, Desmond Decker and Ken Boothe.

At the moment, the 64-year-old reggae singer takes home the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for his 2012 album, ‘Rebirth.’ Jimmy Cliff was up against the Original Wailers, Sean Paul, Sly Robbie & the Jam Masters and Toots and the Maytals.

Audience

You Don't Have to Be a Rasta to Listen to Reggae!Those who listen to reggae music are generally considered to be Rastafarians or Jamaicans.

The target audience for reggae was poor, working class Jamaicans, however the genre ended up being listened to in all countries by people of all ages and race and it was adopted by the skinhead culture of 1980’s Brita in

and the Mods-also in Britain. The target audience has a broad number of admirers, for example: white middle class, Asians etc.

Public perception of the genre

• Many people view reggae as music which brings peace to people, however there are many stereotypes such as:

• People who make or listen to the reggae smoke weed.

• They have dreadlocks • They are Rastafarians

Conventions of the genre

• Tracks consist of mainly percussion and strong baselines, with a typical tempo of with singing and guitar. ‘Dub’ tracks are usually without singing and focus on the instruments and can be re-worked versions.

• In the music videos the artist usually seen performing cuts to the artist with people

• The videos are very simple and not overcomplicated which sits the genre perfectly- chilled and relaxed.

Sub-genresThere are several sub-genres for reggae:• Early reggae• Roots reggae• Dub• Rockers• Lovers rockNewer styles and spin offs:• Hip hop and rap• Dancehall• Raggamuffin• Reggaeton• Reggae fusion

Record labels

There are many record labels in the Reggae industry:• Blood and fire• Circulation music• East star records• Falasha recordings• I grade records• Jah works• Magnet records• Tanty records• Trojan records• Universal Egg

Reggae MagazinesName of

MagazineNo of magazines

sold in a yearHow often do

they come out?What features do

they contain?

United Reggae 733,365 Every Month Old reggae music, Interviews

Irie Up N/A Every 2 months History, new releases,

interviews

ReggaeVille N/A Once a year Concert, tributes

Backayard N/A Every month Interviews

Analysis of United Reggae Magazine

Masthead

Main Cover lines

Cover lines

Banner

Main image

The colour scheme matches the theme of the magazine reggae, green, yellow, red. The masthead is big and stands out its in capitals. Next to the word ‘united’ there is a reggae flag with stars in the middle, represents the reggae culture. It is east to identify, the main image also has a black man with the colours of the reggae flag on his jumper.

Issue date

Cross Media

Radio Stations

There are many different types of radio stations that are a part of Reggae:Official Radio Stations-

Pirate Radio Stations-

Bob MarleyArtist: Bob Marley and The WailersGenre: ReggaeNesta Marley “Bob” Marley (6th February 1945-11 May 1981) he was a Jamaican singer song writer and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the Ska, Rock steady and reggae bands.The Wailers (1963-1974) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974-1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafarian movement to a worldwide audience.

Marley’s music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica. His best-knows hits include “I shot the sheriff”, “No women, no cry”, “Could you be loved”.

Bob Marley

Reggae Future

Reggae music has developed widely in the music industry through many different media, such as magazines, radio, TV and websites. This reaches a wide variety of people. This shows that it is a popular music genre and is appreciated.