Reggae

music genre · Jamaica · rhythm and roots

Born in Jamaica. Reggae music started in Jamaica in the late 1960s, growing out of the island's rich musical traditions and culture.

Named by a song. A 1968 song called 'Do the Reggay' by Toots and the Maytals was the first popular song to use the word reggae, and it helped introduce the whole genre to people around the world.

Spread far and wide. Reggae didn't stay just in Jamaica, it became popular everywhere thanks to people from Jamaica who moved to other countries and brought their music with them.

Modern Jamaican sound. Reggae represents not just a music style, but the modern popular music and culture of Jamaica and communities of Jamaican people living all over the globe.