Night Hawk

Bob Marley is not only known for his great music that has inspired a whole generation of Reggae as well as Hip-Hop, but being a social activist that looked out for the rights of the people. He was integral in bringing not only quality music that could rock stage shows, but empowering messages that challenged the mind.

Bob Marley not only sold millions of records worldwide and influenced Reggae on a more global stream, but he Read the rest of this entry »

The influence of Jamaican music in America is seen through many genres. Artists such as Bob Marley, Kool Herc, and the ska genre have impacted the culture.

Bob Marley has become one of the most popular artists in America, even after death. Bob Marley first started out in America with the ska band The Wailers. After they split up, Marley went solo, but still kept the name. In American he-s known as the first international pop star.

Kool Herc, also known as Read the rest of this entry »

Long before reggae became the signature sound of the island nation of Jamaica, there was ska. Jamaicans in the 1960s became enamored with the American Rhythm and Blues music that was becoming popular on radio broadcasts all over the world. In some areas, this R&B fascination led to the rise of Rock and Roll. In Jamaica, the sound fused with Carribbean and calypso beats and eventually became ska.

Characterized by heavy bass lines and fast-paced beats, ska took hold around the same time of Jamaica gaining independence from Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone’s seen a Bob Marley concert on Direct tv Movies On Demand and who hasn’t heard everything from the Wailers? What about your friend who doesn’t know much about Reggae? Here are a few of the easiest artists to start people on when they don’t know how great Jamaican music isyet.
Beenie Man: He’s got a sound anyone can relate to and he’s got a really fun vibe all his Read the rest of this entry »

Kofi Kingston is a professional wrestler signed to the WWE. He thrills audiences with his originality and creativity. His wrestling style is often high risk, and always high in entertainment. His finishing move is a tornado kick that he calls Trouble in Paradise. He also has very flashy signature moves, including the Boom Drop, which is a double leg drop with some theatrics. When Kofi came up to the WWE main roster he was billed as the first Jamaican born Read the rest of this entry »

Jamaica, an island in the brilliant blue waters of the Caribbean, claims the roots of a number of some of the most culturally evocative types of music in the world. When one hears reggae, there’s no question in your mind what it is. Bob Marley took it worldwide, along with a few others, and spread a message of love, redemption, and harmony, captivating audiences the world over. When a ska song comes on, again, you can feel where the Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone that walks into a restaurant, clothing store, bar, or sports event may hear the echoes of Jamaica blasting through the sound systems of these establishments. The sounds are reflective of all the growth and popularity that is surrounding Jamaican music.

The reggae and dancehall sounds have become more than indie music favorites for a small selection of people that have followed reggae legends like Bob Marley. The music has become versatile, and it has become a major part of mainstream culture. Jamaican music festivals and trips to the Read the rest of this entry »

No matter what you listen to whether it’s mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub music, dancehall, reggae fusion, or the other varies of Jamaican music they all go back to a little 1907 that very few have heard. Walter Jekyll’s Jamaican Song and Story , is the oldest known recording of Jamaican folk music. This early recording is where all styles of Jamaican music starts.These songs would later be blended into the styles we know now. The Mento , movement started with by Stanley Motta who mixed traditionally Jamaican folk music with calypso to come up with his own style. This mixing of traditional Jamaican folk music were blended together for years into other genres.The blending of Jamaican mento and american soul music blended into what is now more commonly known as reggae. This form of music was made popular by Bob Marley and The Whalers. This is what most people think of when they think of Jamaican music.This later turned into dance hall music which has had popularity in recent years. These have been mixed with american rap in order to produce new beats. Now however you choose to listen to Jamaican music or the style you listen to it all goes back to mento , www.mentomusic.com .

A Reggae Christmas Various artists, released by Sanctuary Records (2003) Though a relatively short compilation of Christmas songs, in just 9 tracks, this holiday album captures the spirit of many classics re-channeled through an island mindset. While many titles may look familiar, these are the same verses you are accustomed to by street carolers, instead infused with Jamaican culture. After all, some prefer a “white Christmas” with white sand not white snow.Tracks:1.We Wish You A Merry Christmas – The Ras Family 2.Jingle Bells – Don Carlos 3.Joy To The World – June Lodge 4.Come All Ye Faithful – Freddie McGregor 5.Drummer Boy – Smiley 6.Twelve Days Of Christmas – Peter Broggs 7.Silent Night – Pablo Black 8.Feliz Navidad – Freddie McGregor 9.The Night Before Christmas – Eek-A-MouseReggae Christmas from Studio One Various Artists, released by Heartbeat/Pgd (1992) Read the rest of this entry »

Released, September 2010Gappy Ranks may be new in the Jamaican reggae scene, but his debut album already deserves consideration for the genre’s album of the year. More than a mere musical delight, Put the Stereo on offers a retrospective look at Jamaican music history, with a distinctly similar sounds to artists 30 even 40 years to Gappy Ranks senior. He chooses not to pander to the hip-hop infused predilections of most modern audiences for which he will likely be rewarded as far as critical acclaim is concerned, though it remains to see what kind of commercial success the CD develops into. Unfortunately, it seems as if the work couldn’t entirely escape the bad habits of today’s recording artists, as some listeners will immediately auto-tune out to a few tracks, though on the whole the CD is not just tolerable but a true treasure. Read the rest of this entry »