There is just something about the Jamaican music, that you just can’t put your finger on it. Jamaican Music is a great collection of musical rhapsody. From Mento and Ska to Rocksteady, Reggae and Dancehall all genres of Jamaican music touches each and every person around the world. The history of Jamaica’s music started long before this island paradise gained independence and can be traced back to as far as 1655. Featuring a mixture of different rhythms of unique taste and amazing lyrics, Jamaican music has reached into the hearts of many across the world.
Jamaica’s diverse culture and history plays an important part in the development of the Jamaican Music. From mento to rocksteady and dancehall, history and culture helped in the development of the genres. Anywhere in the world you visit, you would hear a popular Jamaican music playing in houses, clubs and bars. This captivating piece of treasure represents a harmonization of island spirit; which many have come to love and adore.
Jamaican Music boasts an overwhelming and unique feel. With the likes of Bob Marley, Ernie Smith, Buju Banton, Beenie Man and Beres Hammond making significant contributions to its development. There is no doubt that Jamaican music has greatly influenced the world stage, as many Jamaicans have produced some of the greatest music of all time.
The earliest form of music in Jamaica was Mento. This form of music was first recorded in the 50’s. Mento was replaced by the likes of reggae and dub. However, this Jamaican music style is still being produced and recorded.
Ska is another Jamaican musical genre, which will have you dancing to its energetic beats. A combination of mento and rhythm and blues, Ska gained popularity after the First World War. The famous Jamaican musician called Prince Buster created the Ska. Ska music is known for its upbeat experience and creative dance moves. The Ska era gave way to the Rocksteady era.
Rocksteady did not last long, only for a few years. The rude boy era as it is affectionately called, started in 1966. The lyrics take on a powerful mix of love and economic conditions. In the late 60’s, the Rocksteady era became known all over the world. Its rhythms are slow, with main emphasis being placed on the bass. A theory of this type of Jamaican music is that Rocksteady music does not allow you to move much on the dance floor. You simply stay in one spot and gently rock to the musical beats, so you will basically be rocking steady.
After Rocksteady, there was the stimulating reggae music, which Jamaica is known for. Reggae music received huge acceptance and recognition from all across the world. Since its inception, reggae music has produced many popular songs, which beat its way into the heart of Jamaican music lovers.
Being one of the most talked about music, reggae music creates a lively feel of entertaining lyrics and fulfillment. Often covering love, political and social injustice, reggae is a mixture of off-beat and slow tempo rhythms. The tunes are simple, and the instruments used are a mixture of drums, guitars and saxophones. Reggae is exclusively a Jamaican thing that is loved everywhere, since it bought artists like Bob Marley and Buju Banton to the forefront.
The most vibrant of all Jamaican music is the illustrious Dancehall music. Since it graced the stage of Jamaica and the world in the early 90s, the Dancehall genre is made up of singing swiftly while deejaying (rapping) seamlessly to the beats of the rhythm. The featured within the dancehall normally include drums and lots of bass and treble.
The dancehall genre is love, mainly because of its rowdy lyrics, slangs, beats and energetic tunes. Some of the songs featured within the dancehall genre are regarded as being slack and often spoke explicitly about sex. This has seen this genre receiving a lot of criticism, especially among the upper class. Dancehall music often spoke about violence and outright addressed issues that are facing Jamaicans and blacks.
When it comes to Jamaican music, it is one of the most expressive and most diverse forms of in demand music globally, with the genres of dancehall and reggae leading the way.
