Music (Reggae)
"Out of the constant struggle for independence, survival and truth, reggae music emerged –a music that has its roots in R&B, Rock Steady and Mento. However, reggae was a force with which to be reckoned because of its political messages.
Music was seen as a way of staying out of trouble, and not getting caught up in the “rude boy” lifestyle that led to violence, jail or death. The Rasta impact on reggae music would cover a book, but it is clear that the influence of the elders and the teachers of the faith deeply influenced artists who were seeking to distinguish themselves in a business that faded artists out as quickly as they made a hit. For many of these artists, being poor was a daily reality and it became a necessity to address it instead of creating escapist music to deal with it. Rastas, in the early years, were forbidden in many studios and were not allowed to express their creativity. But all that would change as the movement of Rastafari became more appealing to young aspiring singers and musicians, and the voice of Rasta began to take over reggae music." (“Rastafari – Way of Life | JahWorks.Org | The Intelligent Online Caribbean Music, Culture, and Travel Magazine”)
Paragraph extracted from: http://jahworks.org/adjua_dubb/rastafari-way-of-life/#.VUQhE_lViko
Rastafarian’s native son, Bob Marley would change the direction in which Reggae was destined to go, and his talent and inspiration created an overwhelming international market that suddenly became interested in Rasta culture, ideology and Jamaica. From the time of Marley’s sudden death in 1981, the world would forever know about Rastafari, and would be intrigued and inspired by reggae and its powerful artistry. The list of artists that contributed to this great music of this unprecedented era include the original Wailers, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus, Yabby You & the Prophets, Michael Rose, Junior Byles, Big Youth, The Abyssinians, The Ethiopians, The Pioneers, Augustus Pablo, The Congos, Lee Scratch Perry, The Mighty Diamonds, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Prince Far I, U Roy, I Roy, David Jahson, Johnny Clarke, and a host of others whose works and names would fill the books. Reggae music, as a genre, has gone through many phases and changes as the modern era approached, however, the 70s will always be remembered as the “golden era” of the music because of its content, intensely rich and vibrant harmonies, melodies and creative sound. The reggae music of the 1970s was deeply influenced by Rastafari, and remains to this day some of the best work to come out of the island.