Listen to Reggae

Reggae developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s, evolving out of the earlier Ska and Rocksteady styles into a slower, heavier sound built around a syncopated offbeat guitar or piano rhythm (the skank) and a prominent, melodic bassline. Popularized worldwide by artists such as Bob Marley, it is characterized by its relaxed yet insistent groove and lyrics that often address love, faith, social injustice, and Rastafarian spirituality. Its many offshoots include Dub, Dancehall, and Roots Reggae.