Jamaica is an island known for its reggae music and its beauty. Jamaica is full of brilliant color and flavor. This is really evident in the diversity of its people, beaches, food and its music.

The music of Jamaica has moved through many different variations. We have heard and seen performances of rhythms like Dub, Ska, Congo and Dancehall. All of these rhythms are known around the world as reggae. This music is a combination of African, American, Blues and Jamaican folk rhythms. Although this style of music is original only in Jamaica, it is known and loved all over the world. This music originated with ska in the late 1950s, just as Jamaica became independent from England.

It all started with the sound systems and huge open-air nightclubs that were established on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. It was in the 1970s that the late Bob Marley took this art and turned it into an international craze with roots reggae, which was a heavy, spiritual and conscious sound. In 2002, Bob Marley’s album Exodus won the album of the century award. This proud and bold island had made its mark on the world for the first time thanks to its music.

In the 1990s, dancehall and reggae evolved, accompanied by the view that it contained more offensive lyrics that would encourage street violence and consternation. However, I have recently seen and heard a recent development dating back to more socially and spiritually conscious lyrics that some know as the New Roots Movement. I find this to be a good turn for music in Jamaica and the rest of the world. One of Jamaica’s top producers, Boby Digital, said:

“If you feed people with violence, they will be vile. If you fill them with love, they will be charming.”

Today you can see the great performances as the artists are showcased at events like the Caribbean Music Expo and Jamaica Sumfest. New reggae artists like Shaggy, Sean Paul and Abijah have taken reggae even further internationally. These events usually take place on the north coast (i.e. Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Montego Bay, Discovery Bay) of Jamaica and sometimes on the south coast like Negril, Jamaica.

Those who are genuinely interested in Jamaican culture and music are highly recommended to attend one of these shows. Some of these shows can last for days, so if you can’t be there for the entire show, you can watch it for at least one day.