| Jamaica is an island known for its reggae music as | | | | accompanied by the opinion that it contained more |
| well as its beauty. Jamaica is filled with brilliant color | | | | offensive lyrics that would encourage street violence |
| and flavor. This is truly evident in the diversity of its | | | | and dismay. However, recently I have seen and heard |
| people, beaches, food, and it's music. | | | | a recent development going back to more socially and |
| Jamaica's music has moved through many different | | | | spiritually aware lyrics known by some to be the New |
| variations. We have heard and seen performances of | | | | Roots Movement. I find that this is a good turn for |
| rhythms such as Dub, Ska, Congo, and Dancehall. All of | | | | music in Jamaica and the rest of the world. One of the |
| these rhythms are known across the world as reggae. | | | | leading producers in Jamaica, Boby Digital, said: |
| This music is a combination of African, American, | | | | "If you feed people with violence they're going to be |
| Blues, and Jamaican folk rhythms. Though this style of | | | | vile. If you fill them with love, they're going to be lovely." |
| music is original only to Jamaica, it is known and loved | | | | Today you can see the great performances as the |
| globally. This music had its origin with ska in the late | | | | artists are showcased at events such as the |
| 1950's right about the time Jamaica got it's | | | | Caribbean Music Expo, and Jamaica Sumfest. New |
| independence from England. | | | | Reggae artists such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Abijah |
| It all started with the sound systems, and the massive | | | | have brought reggae even further internationally. |
| open-air discos that established themselves on the | | | | These events usually take place on the north coast (i.e. |
| streets of Kingston, Jamaica. It was in the 1970's that | | | | Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Montego Bay, Discovery |
| the late Bob Marley took this art and made it an | | | | Bay) of Jamaica, and sometimes the south coast such |
| international craze with roots reggae, which was a | | | | as Negril, Jamaica. |
| heavy, spiritual and conscious sound. In 2002 Bob | | | | It is highly recommended that those who are truly |
| Marley's album Exodus won album of the century. This | | | | interested in Jamaica's culture and music attend one of |
| proud, bold island had now made its mark on the world | | | | these shows. Some of these stage shows can be |
| first because of its music. | | | | days long, so if you can't be there for the entire show, |
| In the 1990's dancehall and reggae evolved, | | | | you can catch at least one day of it. |