Jamaica Music: Beyond Reggae And Dancehall
Jamaican music is globally known for reggae and dancehall, but there’s a rich musical history that often gets overlooked. Let’s explore some genres beyond reggae and dancehall that have shaped Jamaica’s musical identity.
1. Mento – The Grandfather of Jamaican Music
Before reggae and ska, there was mento, a folk music genre that emerged in the 19th century. Mento blends African rhythms with European influences and often features instruments like the banjo, rumba box, and maracas. Songs are typically humorous and tell stories about everyday life. Artists like The Jolly Boys have kept mento alive in modern times.
2. Ska – The Birth of Jamaica’s Global Sound
Ska emerged in the late 1950s, influenced by mento, jazz, and rhythm & blues from the U.S. It is characterized by upbeat tempos and a strong offbeat rhythm. Ska was Jamaica’s first internationally recognized music genre, with bands like The Skatalites and artists like Prince Buster leading the movement. It later evolved into rocksteady.
3. Rocksteady – The Bridge to Reggae
Rocksteady slowed down the energetic beats of ska, creating a smoother sound with more focus on bass and soulful vocals. It emerged in the mid-1960s and paved the way for reggae. Artists like Alton Ellis, The Paragons, and The Melodians were major figures in rocksteady. Many classic rocksteady songs have been reworked into reggae hits.
4. Dub – The Art of Remixing
Dub was born in the late 1960s and early 1970s, pioneered by producers like King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Dub takes reggae tracks and strips them down, emphasizing deep bass, echo effects, and heavy reverb. This genre had a massive influence on electronic music, hip-hop, and remix culture worldwide.
5. Nyabinghi – The Spiritual Rhythms of Rastafari
Nyabinghi music is deeply spiritual and is the heartbeat of the Rastafari movement. It is drum-based, featuring three main types of drums (the bass, fundeh, and repeater) played in a rhythmic, chant-like manner. The music is often used in Rastafarian ceremonies and has influenced roots reggae.
6. Jamaican Jazz – A Hidden Gem
Jamaica has a rich jazz tradition that many don’t know about. In the 1950s and 1960s, Jamaican jazz musicians blended traditional jazz with mento and ska influences. Artists like Ernest Ranglin, Monty Alexander, and Sonny Bradshaw helped develop this genre, and today, there’s a growing jazz scene in Kingston.
7. Kumina & Revival Music – The Sounds of Ancestry
Kumina is a traditional Afro-Jamaican music and dance form that originates from the Congo. It is deeply spiritual, used in ceremonies to connect with ancestors through drumming and chanting. Revival music, associated with Christian religious practices, is another genre with African rhythmic elements that continues to be practiced in Jamaican churches.
8. Electronic Dancehall & Future Sounds
In recent years, Jamaican artists have been blending dancehall with EDM, trap, and Afrobeats, creating a futuristic sound. Artists like Equiknoxx and producers like Rvssian are experimenting with electronic influences, pushing Jamaican music into new territories.
