Popular music of Jamaican origin having elements of Calypso and rhythm and blues, usually with an accent placed on the offbeat.

1960’s

SKA JAZZ Music genre derived by fusing the melodic content of jazz with the rhythmic and harmonic content of early Jamaican music ROCKSTEADY Features off beat rhythms along with a slower tempo. The musical style is a little more romantic.

MENTO A fusion of European and African Folk Dance Music CALYPSO A style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid 20 th century. It became the voice of the people, and was characterized by highly rhythmic and harmonic vocals

Heavy backbeat rhythm Beats 2 and 4 emphasized (4/4 time) Drummer emphasizes beat 3 (4/4 time)

http :// INSTRUMENTAL REGGAE BEAT MUSIC

A religious cult based on a belief that Ras Tafari (Haile Selassie) is the Messiah and that Africa (especially Ethiopia) is the Promised Land.

Religious and social movement evolving in Jamaica during early 1930’s Rastas typically come from disadvantaged backgrounds A largely unorganized group

Dreadlocks: “psychic antenna” National colors: red, green and gold Marijuana: “holy herb” Language: Jamaican Patois

Could You Be Loved One Love No Women No Cry I Shot the Sheriff Buffalo Soldier Jammin’

Reggae lyrics are sometimes borderline incomprehensible to Americans Usually in an English-based but distinctly Jamaican patois Many exclusively Jamaican slang terms and alternate verb forms are used Frequent references to Rastafarian terms, such as “Jah” (God)

 “A fe me cyar.”  “Mi a —go lef today.”  “Im is badda dan dem. No badda mi.”  “Bwaay! Mi ded tink de test was eazy.”  “It’s my car.”  “I am leaving today.”  “He is worse then they are. Don’t bother me.”  “Boy! I thought that test would have been easy.” PATOIS PHRASES:TRANSLATION:

A Lesson in Jamaican Patois

AMERICA No Doubt Sublime Reel Big Fish BRITAIN UB40 The Beatles The Police Reggae’s Influence

Adele—”Set Fire to the Rain”