Reggae grew out of two earlier Jamaican styles called ska and rocksteady, blending influences from rhythm and blues, jazz, and traditional Jamaican folk music called mento. By the late 1960s it had developed its own distinct, unmistakable sound.
The most celebrated reggae artist in history is Bob Marley, who was born in the small village of Nine Mile in the Blue Mountains region. His songs about peace, togetherness, and joy spread reggae to every corner of the world. His face appears on murals, posters, and T-shirts in countries far from Jamaica.
Reggae bass lines are deep and powerful — the bass guitar often carries the melody as much as the lead guitar does. The drums play a pattern called the 'one drop' where the kick drum lands on the third beat, giving reggae a very specific pulse that fans can recognise in seconds.
In 2018, UNESCO added reggae to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — a special list of cultural traditions that are considered important treasures of the world. This was a moment of great celebration in Jamaica.