Editor’s Note: This article is a creative rewriting of a Smithsonian essay by anthropologist Jake Homiak. It seeks to convey reggae’s significant influence by offering a fresh narrative on its revolutionary spirit and cultural significance.
Today we celebrate 30 years of International Reggae Day (#IRD30), honouring what is undoubtedly Jamaica’s biggest contribution to global music and culture. Born from the rhythms and resistance of Jamaica, reggae has transcended borders, influencing genres from dancehall to hip-hop, reggaeton and dubstep. This day honours not only its smooth melodies and infectious beats, but also its profound impact on cultural identity and social justice. Far more than a musical genre; its essence is a blend of African resistance and black empowerment, deeply rooted in the Rastafari livity—a harmonious way of living with the Creator and the natural world, embodying warmth, spirituality, and unity.
Its roots run deep in Jamaica’s motto, “Out of many, one people,” and its rhythms reflect our culture’s “rock and come een” mentality.
Beyond its captivating melodies, reggae has been a powerful voice for the oppressed, championing equal rights and justice. Bob Marley’s anthems like “Zimbabwe” and “Get Up, Stand Up” once echoed the struggles of African nations, while contemporary artists continue this legacy decades later. Damian Marley’s “Welcome To Jamrock”, Yeza’s “Is It Because I’m Black”, Jesse Royal’s “Modern Day Judas”, Richie Spice’s “Earth A Run Red”, Protoje’s “Blood Money” and Chronixx’s “Capture Land” keep the genre’s spirit of social commentary alive.
Understanding reggae’s spiritual and historical roots is critical as we commemorate its role as a catalyst for global change and hope.This genre not only serves as a soundtrack for resistance, it also represents the joy, solidarity, and freedom to express ourselves that black people have historically been denied.
The Birth of Reggae: A Fusion of Cultural Influences
Reggae was a fusion of Jamaica’s foundation music of the 1940s and 1950s, the then-popular Mento, which was developed from Trinidad’s calypso, and ska, a vibrant spinoff that blended American jazz, rhythm and blues, and Caribbean melodies. It also drew inspiration from Rastafari culture, establishing the foundation for reggae’s distinct sound.
The Rastafari-reggae connection first emerged in the early 1900s due to the influence of Marcus Garvey in the 1920s, who is now a National Hero in Jamaica. Garvey was a globally renowned, Jamaican-born Pan-Africanist who lived overseas in the USA. In later years, the Rastafari movement emerged as a direct result of his Afro-centric principles. This historical and spiritual awakening plus the development of the sound system and dance halls in Kingston all came together to give reggae music its unique sound and far-reaching impact— a feat that, to date, no other nation has accomplished. This genre is also the primary reason why, for such a small island, Jamaica’s impact on global music and culture is unmatched, and why Kingston was recognised globally as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
Rastafari and the Rise of Reggae
“Roots” reggae music came about in the 1970s and is strongly related to the Rastafari movement’s beliefs and culture, which was essential in converting Jamaica’s national image from a former British colony into a symbol of conscious resistance and black pride. To achieve this, the classism underpinning its pleasant-sounding new motto, “Out of many, one people” had to give way to pan-Africanism and afrocentric perspectives. The genre showed the underside of this “Out of many” post-slavery experience by bringing light to the conflicting experiences of struggling Jamaicans—a daring step for a former British colony that had only earned independence a few years prior in 1962.
Reggae soon expanded across the world in the 1970s because of its champions like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, whose songs demanded social justice, liberation from oppression, and unification. It has not only influenced Jamaica’s cultural identity, but also helped people, especially black people and minority groups worldwide, to recall and nourish their inner pride, strength and sense of belonging. Reggae was even declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018, demonstrating its long-term influence and cultural worth.
On this 30th anniversary commemoration of International Reggae Day (IRD), we honour the genre’s rich history and ability to uplift, inspire, and connect people of all kinds. Watch our Instagram stories to see some thought-provoking conversations about reggae happening today around the world!
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Citations:
Homiak, J. (2024). Reggae and Rastafari: A Cultural History. Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
Editor