Reggae Rock Movement by Melissa Parke

Reggae Rock Movement

Reggae Rock Movement Reggae rock exists as a subgenre of reggae that started in Southern California and rosed to popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. Bands like Sublime and Slightly Stoopid became the leading forces of the reggae rock movement with a lyrical focus on consciousness, love, and daily struggles which incorporates elements of punk, rock, hip-hop, and root reggae. Artists within this genre were able to cultivate a movement that is both a reflection and combination of all those elements.Ultimately, the reggae rock movement exemplifies a type of cultural exchange that has gained popularity throughout the world.

Reggae

Reggae, the most distinct form of music in reggae rock, found its footing in the most altruistic of ways. Developed in the 60s, reggae music was an outlet for the Jamaican people to advocate for the poor. What makes reggae music distinguishable from other music is its fusion of bass and drums (known as “dub”), as well as threads of traditional elements such as rhythm and blues, jazz, and rural traditional folk music. Politics is a major theme that is woven into reggae music; throughout the 60s

and 70s, Jamaica owed enormous amount of debt, changed political parties, and experienced violence from gangs and crime. Since its independence in 1962, Jamaica has been ruled by a white political structure; this led many Jamaican reggae artists, like Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Junior Reid, and Dennis Brown, to pen songs about oppression and defying the establishment. Many reggae rock bands, consist of white men who recognize that reggae music plays a big role in their musical expression. Reggae rock has adopted a cult following, specifically in Southern California, due to the region’s intrinsic similarities to the Caribbean climate and atmosphere. Popular SoCal bands, like Rebelution and Iration demonstrate how embrace of the islands relaxed mentality. “There’s nothing like a clear peace of mind/To overcome the hardships in life/To sort out the wrong from the right/Someone’s in line, but they can’t get me down” sings Rebelution in “Sky’s the Limit.”

Rastafari movement

Spirituality is a major part of the reggae rock community. Reggae music has a strong connection with the Rastafari

movement, which in itself a combination of Protestant Christianity, mysticism, PanAfricanism, and political activism. The Rastafari movement began in Jamaica during the 1930s as a social stance against white superiority.This movement was also a way of reclaiming African roots.The Rastafari movement reached its peak in the 1960s, when Ethiopian King Haile Selassie visited Jamaica. Selassie ignited the already established black empowerment movement, which was led by its founder by black nationalist, Marcus Garvey. Selassie, who the Jamaicans believed was the second coming of Christ, helped the Rastafari movement spiritually evolve.The main concept of Rastafari is only one follows a natural way of life. Additionality, I and I is a unique term, referring to the connectedness of Jah (God) and all people. This idea that we are all one, coupled with Rastas wearing their hair in dreadlocks and smoking marijuana for religious purposes are some of the cornerstones of Rastafari. Today, the rules are not strictly obeyed by those who identify with the Rastafari movement. However, they mostly focus on its particular mindset.

Punk

Punk music is another key player in the origins of reggae rock. Sublime and Slightly Stoopid both cut their teeth as punk bands, covering other known punk bands like Bad Religion and the Descendents, before they drew reggae inspiration in the 90s. The punk movement first originated in Great Britain in the early 70s, and like reggae, it was a reaction to economic and social upheavals, and it evolved as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo. Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister, not only passed laws that effected the welfare of Great Britain, and made it difficult for young Brits to find jobs. There is an interesting intersection between punk and reggae culture. Punk rockers took the antiestablishment attitude of reggae, while reggae was able to have a platform to reach a broader audience and become more mainstream. One of the leading focuses in introducing reggae to the punk scene was Don Letts, a renowned Jamaican DJ, who spin reggae records in between band sets at the Roxy, a popular punk club in London. This experience inspired punk bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols to use elements of reggae in their own music as a platform to speak against the racial and working divisions in Britain. Jon Lydon, Sex Pistols

frontman, has always been firmly rooted in reggae music, stating, “I heard it growing up in the council flats [the U.K’s low-cost government housing]. It was a way of life, it’s not entertainment.” Reggae became a gentler, more positive version of talking about oppression. It served as the relaxed alternative to sticking it to the status quo.

Latin American Reggae

Reggae rock, which has gained popularity outside the U.S. mainlands, is especially popular in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Latin reggae relationship with root reggae is intertwined with cultural, racial, and social connectedness. Artists recognize their African roots and express that through music. Unlike American bands, who draw connections to reggae in their music, Latin reggae has direct cultural roots. Latin reggae artists self- identify with reggae, whereas American bands, mostly composed of white members, only have an appreciation for this genre. The Latin reggae band Cultura Profetica, for example, uses their lyrics to target socio-economic problems, as well as to explore Latin-American identity in their lyrics. WhiteAmerican reggae bands focus less on political and racial manners and more on New Age Consciousness. Despite

these differences, Latin and American reggae artists both use reggae as a vehicle to transmit a positive message.

Slightly Stoopid and Sublime

The most recognizable band to emerge from the reggae rock movement is Sublime. Unable to gain recognition from a mass audience because of their unique sound, Sublime created their own record label, Skunk Records, in the late 80s. They toured with Ska bands like No Doubt and Smokestacks for several years in Southern California, playing at clubs and local parties and was able to gain more popularity while touring with Sublime gained national attention with their first single released in 1991, “Date Rape,” which incorporated reggae, punk, and rock elements. Slightly Stoopid, another Californian reggae band, was signed while they were still in high school and gained fame with their excellent fourth studio album, Closer to the Sun. Slightly Stoopid and Sublime’s take-life-easy attitude needed little push to garner a cult following. Unlike the popular grunge genre that dominated the airwaves during the 90s, Sublime and Slightly Stoopid offered a brighter and higher

road to life through their authentic lyrics, which, still resonate among the adolescent culture. Sublime and Slightly Stoopid have also paved the way for other reggae rock artists, like Iration, Rebelution, 311, The Dirty Heads, and Soja.

Who listens to Reggae rock music?

Some may claim that festivals like California Roots are designed for and cater to a specific audience; however, the type of atmosphere that reggae concerts and festivals exude cater to everyone. Fans of Slightly Stoopid have expressed their experiences at shows and festivals as “friendly” and “judgementfree”. Many people who identify heavily with the Rastafari movement, who are not people of color, or from the islands, might feel scrutinized for wearing dreads, smoking weed, and spreading love and peace outside of reggae events. It is in these very places that anyone can express individuality. These festivals act as refuges for fans who enjoy reggae music, without making them feel as if they are appropriating the culture. Critics may claim that white reggae rock bands who use local Jamaican patois are offensive. Such bands, like the Expendables and Tribal Seed, do tie Jamaican patois in their music. However, they

always addressing that it is a form of respect using the patois before performing in their live shows. Reggae music and its musicians are not solely defined by whether or not they come from Jamaica. Most of the successful reggae bands and artists, such as, Alborosie,that surface today are neither Jamaican or from the Caribbean. This only exemplifies reggae’s cultural acceptance. Freddic McGregor, a reggae singer, states, “It’s just music, and the love of it. So whoever plays it and sings it, it’s a blessing.”

Conclusion

The cultural exchange that occurs through reggae rock is a spititual one.Reggae rock enables listeners to go beyond their physical form and transcend how we communicate with each other.It opens up a conversation of how we view race and music in their purest forms.The creation of reggae itself made it possible for many different subgenres to explore their own spirituality in various ways. Reggae music taps into humanistic themes of life that enable us to explore our identities and spirituality; it has opened doors and helps listeners to embrace the need for peace, love, easy living, and the understanding that we are all connected.

Like America’s proverbal melting pot, which blends us all together, reggae rock combines freedom of expression, spirituality, and love inessential ways. Original artwork by: Micah Buzan. Buzan is a self-taught animator and musician. He has made music videos and tour visuals for bands like The Flaming Lips, Incubus, Moon Duo and other indie bands. Some of his videos have been played on Adult Swim as well. Instagram:@michalbuzan Website: http://www. micahbuzan.com Graphic Design: Giulia Bentologio and Melissa Parke Giulia is a 21-year-old graduate from College of Technology (City Tech) in New York City. Bentologio has a diverse array of work that has been done throughout her career in college. Instagram:design.giu Website: http:// giuliabentoglio.design Check out ‘Reggae Rock Movement’ playlist on Spofiy for a compete list of reggae rock music to vibe to.

Reggae Rock Music Playlist 311// “Rub a Dub” Cultura Profetica// “La Complicidad” The Expendables// “Sacrifices” Iration// “Wait and See” The Movement// “Set Sail” Pepper// “Stone Love” Slightly Stoopid// “No Cocaine” Tribal Seeds// “In Your Eyes” Los Pericos// “Pupilas Lejanas” The Expendables// “Down Down Down”