Reggae music nowadays is a very iconic genre that is often relaxing island jams that also have uplifting messages. In the 21st century, reggae music can be found in a variety of different cultures and has evolved greatly. However, its roots came from the common people of Jamaica during a time of oppression. Due to its powerful messages, reggae music developed a religion, challenged the government, and had an overall global impact on the world.
During the time of the great slave trade from Africa to America, many African slaves would end up in Jamaica for laborers to produce and harvest cash crops. Similarly, as in America, the earliest resistance came from escaped slaves fighting battles to end slavery completely when Jamaica had continuously …show more content…
In all effort to make a change, Jamaican developed a religion called Rastafari. Rastafarian beliefs were influenced heavily on black pride, freedom from oppression and hope to return to the promise land in Africa. The religious movement began with the teaching of Marcus Garvey. Rastafari is an Abrahamic religious movement that accepts Haile Selassie I, an Ethiopian emperor, as God incarnated and the Messiah who will deliver believers to the Promise Land. Rastafari holds many Christian and Jewish beliefs. Rastas, the name for people who are believers of the Rastafarian religion, accept the existence of a single triune god, called Jah, who has been incarnated on earth several times. Garvey taught that the Africans were the true Israelites that have been exiled to Jamaica and other parts of the world as a form of punishment. His goal was to reverse the ingrained mindset that blacks are inferior to other …show more content…
Reggae music also brought together a group of people who had a common interest in the promotion of social change. In Jamaica specifically, Rastas wanted social change in redistribution of land and wealth because the small percentage of the rich have too much power.
The origins of Reggae can be found in traditional African and Caribbean folk music, as well as the Blues and Jazz in the United States. One of the characteristic of reggae is its offbeat rhythms. Reggae is often described as a genre that is in between ska and rocksteady. Another important characteristic in reggae music is the “call and response” which is found in traditional Africa songs. This characteristic gives the music a dynamic that allows audience interaction, making the music personable and
During the time of the great slave trade from Africa to America, many African slaves would end up in Jamaica for laborers to produce and harvest cash crops. Similarly, as in America, the earliest resistance came from escaped slaves fighting battles to end slavery completely when Jamaica had continuously …show more content…
In all effort to make a change, Jamaican developed a religion called Rastafari. Rastafarian beliefs were influenced heavily on black pride, freedom from oppression and hope to return to the promise land in Africa. The religious movement began with the teaching of Marcus Garvey. Rastafari is an Abrahamic religious movement that accepts Haile Selassie I, an Ethiopian emperor, as God incarnated and the Messiah who will deliver believers to the Promise Land. Rastafari holds many Christian and Jewish beliefs. Rastas, the name for people who are believers of the Rastafarian religion, accept the existence of a single triune god, called Jah, who has been incarnated on earth several times. Garvey taught that the Africans were the true Israelites that have been exiled to Jamaica and other parts of the world as a form of punishment. His goal was to reverse the ingrained mindset that blacks are inferior to other …show more content…
Reggae music also brought together a group of people who had a common interest in the promotion of social change. In Jamaica specifically, Rastas wanted social change in redistribution of land and wealth because the small percentage of the rich have too much power.
The origins of Reggae can be found in traditional African and Caribbean folk music, as well as the Blues and Jazz in the United States. One of the characteristic of reggae is its offbeat rhythms. Reggae is often described as a genre that is in between ska and rocksteady. Another important characteristic in reggae music is the “call and response” which is found in traditional Africa songs. This characteristic gives the music a dynamic that allows audience interaction, making the music personable and