“Out of many, one people.” This Jamaican motto is commonly used to portray that even though the people of the country are of many different races, backgrounds and cultures they are all share one common ground. Though a small country, Jamaican culture has many factors have globally impacted others such as Germany, China, and Africa. The people of Jamaica also pride themselves on how diverse their country is from the culturally mixed population to the melting pot of many foods to the wide variety of music. The music of Jamaica is one of the main factors that makes Jamaica unique. The music of Jamaica includes many popular genres such as calypso, ska, dancehall; the more modern form of reggae and the most popular reggae. “Reggae means 'regular'”, by that Jamaicans mean that they are average people who undergo hardships. Music that was once about love and sex began to subside. The music then shifted in meaning and had more powerful lyrics about social and political inequality. To the reggae artists, this was the only way to get their points across and to be heard. It was away to express how they felt about these injustices and how it affected not only them but others in the country. Reggae music is a style of Jamaican music with a “strongly accented subsidiary beat” Reggae is a significant form of music in Jamaica. Culturally, reggae is a simple way in which many Jamaicans characterize themselves. It has also appointed a statement of Jamaican lifestyle and culture in which people from all over the world could understand. Music is a way in which Jamaicans can express themselves it is also a way in which they can commemorate their nationalism. The rise of the reggae era began around the year 1960 and evolved from s... ... middle of paper ... ...s so I said 'I shot the sheriff' instead… but it's the same idea: justice.” These songs made their way throughout history. People listened to these songs during protest and rallies when they wanted to feel a sense of prosperity. For example, during 2011, protesters on Occupy Wall St. scattered around the world “challenging social and economic inequality, as well as corporate greed and its influence upon government policy. The uncompromising sentiments expressed on Bob’s “Get Up Stand Up”, lyrics that are repeatedly chanted at these demonstrations, seem to have directly inspired the protesters’ dissenting stance: “Some people think a great God will come down from the sky, take away everything and make everybody feel high/but if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth and now we see the light, we’re gonna stand up for our rights!””
Although there is a variety of music that could be examined to trace its evolution through time, there is one genre in particular that is quite interesting to examine. Though it differs from other types of music, it will be looked at in conjunction with Reggae music as they have similar ties. Reggae music is quite prominent today in the United States, parts of Africa, and of course Jamaica. Reggae is notoriously known for its most influential artist Bob Marley, and it is not unusual for one to have heard a few, if not many of his songs. Reggae’s popularity is steadily increasing and is doing so through both expansions of the music as well as increasing knowledge on the genre.
Since its founding in the 1930s, the Rastafarian movement has grown to the point where it has become a major cultural and political force in Jamaica. During its existence, the movement has challenged Jamaica's neo-colonialist society's attempts to keep whites at the top and blacks at the bottom of the socio-economic structure.
which are chords 1, 4 and 5. This is the same as the 12 Bar Blues, but
The original inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be the Arawaks, also called Tainos,,, Jamaica was originally named the island Xaymaca, which meant ““land of wood and water”. Tobacco became their biggest crop, making smoking a popular pastime. Beneficial of being an island is the ocean surrounding providing an excellent source of fish. On Christopher Columbus second voyage to the Western Indians he landed upon the islands. The well know Rastafari Religion was founded in Jamaica during the 19030’s, popular for unique style. Similar to Chinese food and other non American traditional restaurants, Jamaican restaurants are popular in the U.S. You must not forget to mention reggae music. A highly popular music industry listened to globally.
The evolution of Afro-Cuban music is an amazing complex history. So many different factors over time went into the creation of Afro-Cuban music. Afro-Cuban music of the late 1800’s-early 1900’s influenced by the Cuban politics, African Slave Trade, and the meeting of European and African cultures lead to the creation of new instruments, sounds, and rhythms. Religion such as Santeria or the Rezo’s created new Latin rhythms and branches of the genre.
In Jamaica, the music is entertaining. I didn’t understand half of what they were singing but the rhythm gives you a good vibe. It makes you want to dance. The songs often speak to their history, poverty, love, romance, and sex. Entertainers simply sing about day to day happenings in their everyday lives, country, and society. Their music is a way of communication with each other and was employed by the slaves during the rebellion. Bob Barley, the most important singer in the last Century, was embalmed and is being viewed in a
The Jamaican culture is a religion and lifestyle that defines the people of Jamaica. The culture is mixed with different ethnic groups. The society is diverse. There has always been a question about the language spoken in Jamaica. People in Jamaica speak English (from British influence) with a dialect called Patois (Patwa). This language is spoken mostly throughout Jamaica. This language is a combination from different inhabitants in its history. For example first there were The Taino people who were enslaved by the Spanish. After that the British took over until Jamaica finally got its independence. When this happened the Chinese and Indians migrants came to the islands as workers and with ideas. This influenced diversity that had an effect
During the course of this semester, the several musical styles that have been discussed and analyzed have displayed various similarities and differences. These differences in certain musical elements have accounted for the distinctiveness and uniqueness of each style of music. The culture behind these countries’ music adds even more to their individualism. Cultural aspects such as religion play a huge role in the music of each country as well. Styles of music in Africa might be more upbeat than certain styles in India, for example. Some cultures use music in religion, while others may not. Aspects such as dance are important factors in all three types of music. Despite the differences and similarities, however, without music, these cultures would perhaps not be as fascinating and unique as they are now.
King, Stephen A. “International Reggae, Democratic Socialism, and the Secularization of the Rastafarian Movement, 1972-1980.” Popular Music and Society Fall 1998.
Jamaica is a small island in the Caribbean, however it is the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean. Jamaica has many traditions and lifestyles, but two of them are music industry and sport. In the music industry, you will find many music legends, and one of them is Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley). Marley is a Jamaican born musician, known for his reggae. He was born in 1945 and died at the age of 36, in 1981. Bob Marley & The Wailers’ most famous song is “Sun is shining” and it is a reggae soundtrack. I find the music industry very interesting because it has soundtracks to various movements in Jamaica, such as Rastafari. Rastafari is an Afro-Caribbean political and spiritual movement, that found place in the 1930s in Jamaica.
Bob Marley is the most well-known Reggae musician. He did many great things throughout his life. Bob Marley had messages in his song lyrics and did whatever it took for them to be heard. He also helped and inspired many of his fans, as well as his family. He was also one of the few people that helped start a new genre of music and a new band that sang it. Bob’s songs, and the story behind them, is what effected society. Bob Marley had a tough life but he still managed to become one of the most famous musicians ever. Bob Marley was an idol to many people because of the messages he expressed through his songs and how he did whatever it took to get those messages out, the fact that his songs helped people, and how he helped start a new genre of music.
Bob Marley is a Jamaican singer and songwriter as well as a committed Rastafari who is best known for his blending of ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. Throughout his short life Bob Marley was able to contribute a great deal with his reggae music, and throughout all the time he has been gone people still use his music as a measuring stick for all other reggae music. This was because during his time as an artist he was able to create a type of reggae music that was not heard before in Jamaica, or any part of the world for that matter. The 1970’s was when Bob Marley & The Wailers started releasing his popular music, primarily his album Exodus, and increased the popularity of Rastafarianism though the high vibe he created with the mix of reggae, soul, and blues.
Kingston has been the home to many famous reggae artists. Why do so many artists come from Kingston? Does it say something about the message of the music and or the conditions in Kingston that also encompasses trench town?
Music in the Caribbean was first developed by the Neo Indians around 1600 the Neo Indians died taken their culture and music. Music then reemerged when the African slaves came to the Caribbean. The type of music the Africans brought was both lively and entertaining. The slaves found a rhythm in everything they did from cutting cane to taking care of the homes of the planter class. They sang to keep their spirits up, because they were taken way from family back in Africa and the harsh working and living conditions affecting them.
Music has played a role in society since the dawn of man. Said to be the beginning of communication in early civilization, music and dance have influenced how we think, act and treat members of our own society. Song and dance is used in rites of passage ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals throughout the world. Jamaican and Yoruba cultures have made many contributions to our society. The uses of this music as a vehicle for political issues, values, and beliefs have been used by many musicians from different cultures. I intend to discuss the Contribution of these two contemporary cultures music and their effect on society.