Reggae: The Music Of Protest

There are several theories about how the word reggae originated. The first theory claims that the word reggae was coined on a 1968 Pyramid dance single, "Do the Reggay (sic)," by Toots and the Maytals. Some believe that the word is originated from Regga, the name of a Bantu-speaking tribe on Lake Tanganyika. Others say that it is a corruption of the word streggae, which is Kingston street slang for prostitute (The Origins of Ska …,n.d.). On the other hand, Bob Marley claimed that the word was Spanish in origin, meaning "the king's music." Veteran Jamaican studio musicians offer the simplest, and probably the most logical, explanation. "It's a description of the beat itself," says Hux Brown, lead guitarist on Paul Simon's 1972 reggae-flavored hit, "Mother and Child Reunion". "It's just a fun, joke kinda word that means the ragged rhythm and the body feelin'. If it's got a greater meanin', it doesn't matter," Brown said (The Origin of “Reggae”,n.d.). To many listeners reggae means fun, yet the lyrics of reggae music have deeper meanings which are about an extraordinary philosophy, Rastafarianism and political messages mostly about colonialism and corruption in governments. Reggae music which is evolved before the end of 1960s in Jamaica, has been used as an efficient form of protest against slavery, poverty and corruptions in government; and Bob Marley, the legend of reggae, had very important role in spreading the ideology of Rastafarianism and giving humanitarian messages to the world.

Reggae is a style of popular music which is originated in Jamaica in late 1960s and became dominant music in the country. In Jamaica there were 3 other music styles before reggae emerged. Since 1945 Jamaica adopted many American music forms such as; swing, soul and most importantly R&B. During and after the World War II the American troops based in Jamaica and while soldiers listening the Miami and New Orleans radio many young Jamaican were impressed with the music. By the mid 1950s huge open air dances started to occur and the interest to American R&B rose drastically. In the end of the 1950s, Jamaicans who were influenced by independency ideas were not satisfied by sounds of American rhythm & blues anymore. During the early and mid 60s around the time Jamaica was granted its independence, the first Jamaican modern music style merged. Ska is the rollicking, raucous music that perfectly summed up the mood of the people as they approached Independence at the beginning of the 1960s and wanted to announce their Jamaicanness with as much gusto as possible. Many reggae historians claim that the founders of ska music are legendary producer Prince Buster and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. While they were looking for new sounds to thrill Jamaican youth they changed the emphasis of the R&B from the first and third beats in the bar to the second and fourth, creating the offbeat style that became the fulcrum of Jamaican music from then on. By 1962 Jamaica was self-governing and ska was said to reflect the aspirations of the newly liberated masses. In Jamaica, it is said that in mid 1960s summer the weather was too hot and people refused to dance to up-tempo music like ska and this situation led

to slow the tempo of music so a new style of music was emerged, rock steady. However this is not simply the case, in fact, the reason behind slowing down the tempo can be related with the disappearance of hopes to independent future of Jamaica. Rock steady simply can be defined as; half-speed ska with the trombone replaced by piano and prominent bass. (Rock Steady,n.d.). This short lived music embedded to lyrics social themes and was a step to transit to reggae.

Reggae evolved from the roots of music styles mentioned above and the lyrics weighted more on politics that addressed social and economical injustice. It also drew from folk music, Pocomania church music, Jonkanoo fife and drum bands, fertility rituals, adaptations of quadrilles, plantation work songs, and a form called mento. (Reggae History,n.d.). Many people refer the birth of reggae to Lee “Scratch” Perry. His first single "People Funny Boy" is notable for its innovative use of a slow, sluggish, bass-driven beat that would soon become identifiable as a distinctively reggae sound. He and his band, The Upsetter, was the first reggae band that embarked a tour in UK. Later on with artists like Burning Spear, Culture, The Congoes, Big Youth, The Mighty Diamonds, Dillinger, Tapper Zukie, Lee Perry, The Ethiopians, Max Romeo and especially Bob Marley’s efforts reggae music was started to listen by all over the world.

Jamaica was economically and socially corrupted in the years that reggae emerged. Early “roots” reggae (1968-1971) lyrics indicated Jamaica’s concerns only. Main concerns in the lyrics were about living conditions like food shortages, government housing and political violence. In addition reggae ground such critiques in historical memories of slavery. Besides, the lyrics of reggae were about the dream of repatriation. After the independence of Jamaica the condition of the island became worse even after the Jamaican’s hope, Michael Manley, who is a Rastafarian and democratic socialist, thus the need of politic music had been remained. In the start of 1970s reggae become an international music style and differed in some aspects from early “roots” reggae. However “international” reggae’s lyrics remained to critique the social and economical concerns of Jamaica and the dream of repatriation. (International Reggae...,). Lyrically changes in reggae were the universalized themes such as to mention concerns about Zimbabwe and South Africa. Reggae music marketed not by toning down its politics, but actually celebrating the ganga-smoking Rastafarian as a universal symbol of rebellion and protest. “International” reggae placed Rastafarians with not only Jamaicans but also all black people in the world. The two situations above led

to the spread of reggae and consequently Rastafarianism to the world.

The name Rastafari, which is derived from Ras, is the title given to Amharic Royalty in Ethiopia and Tafari, which is the pre-coronation name of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia(1988-1975).(The Origins of Rastafari, 2003). Rastafarianism is a religious and political movement, begun in Jamaica in the 1930s, and combines Protestant Christianity, mysticism, and a pan-African political consciousness.(Rastafari, 2005). Rastafarians accept that their religion is the mixture of the purest forms of both Judaism and Christianity; they also accept the Egyptian origins of both these religions.