Nowadays the popularity of Jamaican music is increasing considerably all over the world. The sounds of the island include mostly Reggae, but also Ska, Dancehall and Rocksteady. As tourism is vital for the island, Jamaica is romanticized trough various media by emphasizing its music.
The term "reggae" came from the Jamaican word "streggae", which means a woman or man who dresses a little on the raggedy side. One day a couple of friends started doing a dance imitating the streggae in their eyes. They shortened the name to reggae and the beat they developed began. It became popular worldwide in the 1970's mostly through the work of the famous musician Bob Marley.
Jamaica is an island rich with history dating back to 1655 when England gained control of the island from Spain. With the slave trade, England moved many native Africans to the island. Cultures, languages and religion were blended by the people. The one-drop rhythm, the basis of Reggae, is distinctly African in nature.
There are some other traditional sounds in Jamaica, as part of the culture, including folk music, waltzes, ska and calypso. While Ska is a melodious blend of rhythm and blues, with harmonious vocals and horn instruments, Calypso, or mento, is a mix of African and European music, with acoustical instruments, guitars and banjo. Calypso actually emerged in the mid 20th century and spread throughout the whole Caribbean territory.
There is little doubt that Reggae and other Jamaican music will long be popular in most areas of the world.
Jamaican music takes us to a mystical place, so different from our usual day to day life scenario, with an upbeat rhythm that give us a lift and make us happy.
The term "reggae" came from the Jamaican word "streggae", which means a woman or man who dresses a little on the raggedy side. One day a couple of friends started doing a dance imitating the streggae in their eyes. They shortened the name to reggae and the beat they developed began. It became popular worldwide in the 1970's mostly through the work of the famous musician Bob Marley.
Jamaica is an island rich with history dating back to 1655 when England gained control of the island from Spain. With the slave trade, England moved many native Africans to the island. Cultures, languages and religion were blended by the people. The one-drop rhythm, the basis of Reggae, is distinctly African in nature.
There are some other traditional sounds in Jamaica, as part of the culture, including folk music, waltzes, ska and calypso. While Ska is a melodious blend of rhythm and blues, with harmonious vocals and horn instruments, Calypso, or mento, is a mix of African and European music, with acoustical instruments, guitars and banjo. Calypso actually emerged in the mid 20th century and spread throughout the whole Caribbean territory.
There is little doubt that Reggae and other Jamaican music will long be popular in most areas of the world.
Jamaican music takes us to a mystical place, so different from our usual day to day life scenario, with an upbeat rhythm that give us a lift and make us happy.
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