One genre of music that impacted my generation and acted as a catalyst for understanding poverty and social justice is reggae music. It originated from Jamaican as ska, metamorphoses into roots reggae, rocksteady, dancehall and lovers rock when it berthed in Britain following the influx of large West Indian community into Britain in the 1970s. In its various journeys, reggae never lost focus in its undertone of fighting for social justice and inequality. We had our fair share of the impact of reggae in the 80s and 90s following the emergence of artistes like the late Ras Kimono, Orits Williki, the Mandators, Blacky and a host of others.
It therefore didn’t come as a surprise to me when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added reggae music to its World Heritage list in November 2018. Because of its uniqueness, UNESCO declared Reggae music a cultural treasure worth protecting.
The popular genre, which developed in the late 50s from the streets of Jamaica, was added to the UN’s collection of cultural treasures due to its “intangible cultural heritage.” Reggae music’s “contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual,” UNESCO noted
When reggae emerged in the late 1950s, it came as a cultural shock therapy, not only to Jamaica where it originated, but the whole world. Reggae has influenced societies throughout the world, contributing to the development of new counterculture movements, particularly in Europe, in the USA and Africa.
Indeed, by the end of the 1960s, it participated in the birth of the skinhead movement in the UK. In the 1970s, it impacted on Western punk rock/ pop cultures and inspired the first rappers in the USA. Finally, since the late 1970s onwards, it has also influenced singers originating from Africa, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Ras Kimono, Orits Williki, Blacky and Lucky Dube being perfect examples.
Reggae music’s militant and spiritual lyrics as well as the rebellious appearance of its singers, among others, have influenced musical genres, cultures and societies throughout the world, contributing to the development of new counterculture movements.
The song and lyrics of many Jamaican songs within reggae, ska, and rocksteady, portray ideas of social reform, political change, protesting against the dominant social and political order. Reggae in particular promoted peace, love, anti-poverty struggles, Black Nationalism and social injustice. Jamaican music has inspired people to rise up against the oppression of their own countries. Reggae in particular inspired people and freedom fighters in both South Africa and Zimbabwe to take up arms and retaliate against the oppression of the systems they were ruled under. Songs by famous Reggae artists like Bob Marley and his song ‘Jammin’, along with ska songs like ‘Freedom Song’ spread the ideas of change and unity and discourage violence and corruption.
The Jamaican population is primarily of African descent, thus it is instructive to note that reggae has its roots in ancient African musical forms and since its appearance reggae singers have constantly paid tribute to the motherland Africa. Not surprisingly, reggae has had a strong impact on the African continent. Actually, it is the charismatic and powerful Bob Marley who first hit the continent by the end of the 1970s with tunes like “Africa Unite” (1979) or “Zimbabwe” (1979). He rapidly became a symbol for African youth and many started identifying with Jamaicans and the Rasta culture.
Indeed, it was easy for young Africans to compare themselves with Jamaicans for they were both black people living in harsh conditions – for instance, Jamaican ghettos are rather similar to African ones -, and above all they were both oppressed by white people from a political, economic and social perspective. Consequently, numerous Africans started playing reggae and eminent artists earlier mentioned emerged.
Prior to the official abolition of apartheid in South Africa in 1991, it best symbolises a classic case of racial and social injustices. In this extremely tense socio-political climate, voices emerged to denounce such evils: Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly’s. Throughout his successful career which started in 1980, Lucky Dube never stopped denouncing discrimination, segregation and exclusion, which black South Africans were the victims of. He also advocated unity among people. Among his most representative albums, one must mention Slave, Prisoner and Victims. Lucky Dube was unfortunately killed in October 2007.
Like most African countries, Cote d’Ivoire’s history has been associated with colonialism, neo-colonialism, tribalism, political manoeuvres, tyrannies, corruption, and the plundering of natural resources by the former colonial power. So, like Jamaica, Cote d’Ivoire has been a favorable place for the explosion and development of reggae which has become the principal medium to point the finger at the scourges previously mentioned. Such plagues are denounced by Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly who are the indisputable ambassadors of reggae in Cote d’Ivoire and the genuine arrowheads of reggae in Africa.
In Nigeria, Ras Kimono, Orits Williki and the Mandators equally sang about social injustice. They sang about unemployment and political tension among other social issues. Thus, the importance of reggae music in the worldwide cultural universe is quite phenomenal. It gave Africans and peoples of African descent around the world a sense of identity and a call to action.
It is also essential to mention the influence of reggae in Latin America, especially in Brazil with the development of samba-reggae since the early 1980s as well as in Puerto Rico, Panama and Costa Rica with the success of reggaeton since the early 2000s. It is also crucial to emphasise the Pacific region. As Jennifer Raoult mentioned in her article “The Reggae Scene of New Zealand” (“La scène reggae de Nouvelle-Zélande”), reggae and Rastafari are extremely popular in New Zealand as well as in New Caledonia and Australia, especially among the native people.
Indeed, like Jamaicans and Africans, Maori, Aborigines and Kanaks have experienced colonialism, enslavement, genocides and denial of their traditions and religious beliefs. So, many of them have been recognising themselves through reggae songs’ lyrics and the Rastafari movement, which in a way helps them to recover their rights and dignity.
Reggae is also popular in Asia too. Bob Marley’s concerts in Japan, New Zealand and Australia in April 1979 are credited with being the genesis of reggae music and Rasta culture in these regions of the world.
The impact of reggae and Rastafari on the worldwide cultural universe is colossal. It is not an overstatement to say that almost the whole world have been culturally influenced by reggae music and its Rastafarian message. How can we explain such a ‘scattering’? It would seem that Jamaican large migrations as well as Bob Marley’s huge success have played a major role in spreading these fundamental elements of Jamaican culture throughout the world. Besides, foreigners appear to be captivated by reggae music because of its militant, rebellious and spiritual message as well as its positive and universal message dealing with the concept of unity.
Rasta symbols such as dreadlocks, Ethiopian colours, or military clothing also play an important part in charming foreign audience. Like rock, punk or hippie movements, reggae and Rastafari have influenced societies from a musical, cultural and political point of view. For that reason, they really cannot be ignored.
Various cultural aspects have a very powerful effect on society. Some can spur great changes and spark many revolutionary movements. In this case, I agree that Jamaican music is a strong catalyst for social change. Jamaican music’s roots and strong influence began during the period in Jamaica when the economy was in a decline in the aftermath of British colonial rule. With the different forms of Jamaican music, they have not only entertained the masses, but the lyrics have both spread new ideas and created new movements focusing on social change.