Reggae
Reggae is a popular music genre which emerged in Jamaica? in the late 1960s. Reggae features a slow, staccato skank?, drawing from its roots in the ska? and rocksteady? from earlier in the decade, and emphasizing a bubbling organ shuffle.
Early reggae, roughly corresponding to the late 1960s into the early 1970s?, emerged primarily in a style now known as boss reggae? (or skinhead? reggae), with an uptempo and driving sound compared to later styles. Another early recognised subgenre division is roots reggae?, which focuses on socially conscious, political, or spiritual lyrics, along with a slower and more repetitive instrumental style. By 1969?, some tracks featured toasted deejay? vocals instead of or alongside singing.
By 1971? and 1972?, roots reggae was becoming the dominant form of reggae as Bob Marley & The Wailers found international success, and the style was influential on the development on offshoots like the heavily-effected remix? style of dub? and the soft, smooth, rocksteady-rooted lovers rock?. Due to its international popularity, American? and British? artists began to incorporate elements of reggae into mainstream rock and pop, particularly with early examples of reggae rock? and pop reggae.
By the late 1970s, reggae had become more minimal and rhythm-oriented, with vocal performances over prerecorded riddims which are sung or, more commonly by the early 1980s?, toasted. Reggae rock became more established as a distinct genre in the New Wave? era, and pop reggae and dancehall pop began to intermingle with early contemporary R&B?. Digital reggae or digital dancehall became established with the innovation of electronic? riddims, largely popularised by Wayne Smith & King Jammy's "Under Me Sleng Teng" in 1985?.
Reggae has found popularity and been influential around the world, leading to reggae scenes in many places worldwide, including Pacific? reggae, Japanese? reggae, African? reggae, California? reggae. The term cod reggae describes reggae and reggae-influenced music which is perceived as being inauthentic, and has been applied to many non-Caribbean? artists.