 | AboutÌýReggae Reggae is a unique fusion of local folk music with outside influences. The local folk music was a Jamaican form called mento, but in the 40s and 50s Jamaicans were also listening to music from the US – jazz, bebop, rhythm and blues, and rock 'n' roll.
Key events inÌýreggae
 Ìý The Harder They Come
The soundtrack to the reggae movie The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff, results in a huge upsurge in the popularity of Reggae in America.Ìý My Boy Lollipop
Millie Small has Reggae's first mainstream hit in 1964 with "My Boy Lollipop", reaching Number 2 in the US and Number 1 in the UK. It remains one of the biggest-selling reggae or ska discs of all time, with more than seven million sales.Ìý Prince Buster
Born Cecil Bustamente Campbell in Jamaica in 1938, in 1960 his debut track, "Little Honey", introduces the classic syncopated rhythm of ska to the Jamaican nation.Ìý Catch A Fire
In 1973 Bob Marley and the Wailers release "Catch A Fire", produced by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records. It's the first of their albums released outside of Jamaica, and immediately earns worldwide acclaim.Ìý Marley Dies
In 1981 Bob Marley dies of cancer. As with many performers, his musical reputation is cemented in death.
KeyÌýreggaeÌýsongwriters |  | ÌýBob Marley
Indisputedly Reggae's most-famous and iconic performer, Bob Marley's songs, such as "Get Up", "Stand Up", "Buffalo Soldier" and "I Shot The Sheriff" are instantly recognisable anywhere in the world. Marley's influence on Reggae in his native Jamaica is regarded with almost mystical reverence.
 ÌýStir It Up
ÌýI Shot The Sheriff
ÌýÌýSun Is ShiningÌý | | | |  | ÌýPrince Buster
Prince Buster has had an incredible influence on Jamaican music since the beginning of the 60s when he set up his own sound system to travel the island. A prolific performer, writer and producer - at his peak he was producing two singles a week! - Prince Buster has been a Reggae institution since the success of his first single, "Little Honey".
ÌýEarthquake
ÌýTake it easy
ÌýJudge DreadÌý | | | |  | ÌýDesmond Dekker
Long before Marley, Desmond Dekker was Reggae's musical ambassador to the rest of the world, his rocksteady catalogue including the massive singles "007 (Shanty Town)" and "The Israelites".
ÌýIsraelites
Ìý007 (shanty town)
ÌýRude Boy Train
Ìý | | |
|
Music latest
DiscoverÌýall you need on your favourite artist in ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Music's great collection of profiles.
 |
|
| ÌýDON'T MISS |
|
|
|
 |
|
Doves
Special guests on Dermot's show this week
|
|
|
|
ÌýFull Schedule
Genres
ÌýNewsletter sign-up