Rastafarian Music

By joshmcd

  • Early 1900's in Jamaica

    Early 1900's in Jamaica
    Traditional music Nyabingi was used during gatherings in Jamaica. Chanting and drumming was thought to achieve heightened spirituality. They chanted about slavery and black redemption

  • 1930's - Rastafarian movement begins

    1930's - Rastafarian movement begins
    Ras Tafari becomes emperor of Ethiopia, and their beliefs are promoted by Jamaican preachers. The music also emerges with the same themes of brining African people back to their roots, fighting oppression.

  • 1950's spread through Rasta communities

    1950's spread through Rasta communities
    Called ska, the Rastafari music started changing, different instruments, more guitar, upbeat sound and message. Still talked about oppression and now inequality. Reflection of the world at the time, music expressed the people's concerns. World getting smaller, and the message spreading to black communities on other islands

  • 1960's - Bob Marley and Reggae emerges

    1960's - Bob Marley and Reggae emerges
    Bob Marley and the Wailers formed in 60s. Faster tempo music, incorporated more instruments, became known as reggae. started becoming popular around other parts of the world, especially with other oppressed groups. Bob Marley became known as the King of Reggae as his message and sound went along with all of the groups taking a stand for equality.

  • 1970's Reggae popularized around the world

    1970's Reggae popularized around the world
    Bob Marley is world known, still the same message of rising up, he starts to incorporate sounds from American music, R&B and Jazz. Has a political message for social change, addresses inequality in black communities. World is even smaller, expression of the culture appeals to others who feel the same oppresion.

  • 1980's - Reggae worldwide

    1980's - Reggae worldwide
    Reggae starts to change and adapt around the world, especially the US and UK. Themes of the music start to include more mainstream subjects like love, sex, and social life and issues. However in Jamaica and close islands "Roots reggae" stays more tradiional and true to the original themes of oppression and poverty.

  • 1990's - DJ's bring reggae to younger audience

    1990's - DJ's bring reggae to younger audience
    Toasting becomes popular (rapping over instrumental tracks) and mixing of music for clubs and dancing. DJ's incorporate reggae into this type of music and entertainment. Popularity decreases around the world.

  • 2000 to present - Changing reggae into mainstream

    2000 to present - Changing reggae into mainstream
    Famous musicians use reggae style in popular music like the Fugees Rihanna and Beyonce. Reggae is still very popular in Jamaica and the original themes of equality are still more common in traditional reggae music made now. Bob Marley is still the most popular reggae artist around the world.