International Reggae Day – What do you think of when you hear ‘Reggae’? Bob Marley most likely! He was the king of reggae music up to the ’80s and is just as much loved today! Songs like ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘No Woman No Cry’ and ‘One Love’ are timeless!
Not to mention his music also helped the spread of the Rastafarian movement! This International Reggae Day Festival is all about celebrating the power of reggae music in a relaxed atmosphere.
The festival takes place every year in Kingston, Jamaica – and will consist of tons of musicians and reggae-lovers coming together. But before you break out the bright colours and log in to feel the vibrations on the day – you might like to know a bit of reggae history!
Reggae music was a new genre that developed from R&B and Ska around the 1960s. Aside from artists like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, reggae has also been sampled in other types of music.
In The Beatles Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da a reggae rhythm is featured! To hear a great Beatles/Reggae cover, click here and jam along the rest of the article.
There are different types of reggae too. Roots reggae, skinhead reggae and ‘Dub’ are all recognised. Heard of dub poetry? It’s West Indian poetry being spoken over reggae beats. How cool is that?!
Founder of Island Records Chris Blackwell talks about the special day and the history of reggae in a fascinating video you can watch at the International Reggae Day website.
So if you can’t travel all the way to Jamaica, what can you do on the day? Wear your bright colours, play some reggae music and log on to the official site to keep up to date with podcasts and the festival.
Are you musically inclined? If so organise a reggae get-together with some musical friends! And if you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, cook up some authentic and delicious Caribbean recipes, such as, jerk chicken with rice and beans or why not try a goat curry to help celebrate the day in style.
Just don’t forget to take a reggae photo on the day!