Roots Reggae

Roots reggae is a genre characterized by its emphasis on socially conscious lyrics, soulful vocals, and a laid-back, offbeat rhythm often driven by a prominent bass line. Emerging in Jamaica in the late 1960s and peaking in popularity in the 1970s, roots reggae drew from traditional Caribbean folk, calypso, and American R&B, incorporating instrumentation like guitars, keyboards, and horns. The genre's cultural significance lies in its role as a powerful voice for social justice, equality, and Rastafarianism, with lyrics often addressing themes of oppression, redemption, and unity. Roots reggae's distinctive sound is marked by its use of "one-drop" rhythm, where the emphasis falls on the third beat in a 4/4 time signature, creating a hypnotic, danceable groove. This style influenced subsequent genres like dancehall and conscious hip-hop, while its fusion of African, European, and Caribbean musical traditions continues to inspire artists globally.

Latest Roots Reggae Release
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Wine4me
Single - Released May 30, 2025

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Basement Roots
Beres Hammond
Big Youth
Brizion
Brown Sugar
Bugle
Buju Banton
Bujumannu
Burro Banton
Charly B
Chezidek
Cidade Verde Sounds
Cocoa Tea
Common Kings
Cool Up Records
Costa Rebel
Cultural Warriors
Culture
Danny Red
David Emanuel
Daweh Congo
Dennis Brown
Dillinger
Dixie Peach
Dread Mar I
Dub Caravan
Dub Sonata
Dubb Parade
Dubkasm
Earl 16
Eek-A-Mouse
Etana
Fauzi Beydoun
Filomuzik
Flying Vipers
George Palmer
Ghetto Reggae
Gregory Isaacs
Gustah
Hermanos del Ghetto
Hughie Izachaar
Irie Ites
Jamrock
Jesse Royal
Jhayam
Joe Ariwa
Joseph Lalibela
Julian Marley
Junior Reid
KARAMUSHI
Keith Hudson
King Alpha
LITTLE JOHN
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Levite Sound
Lion Rezz
Lone Ark
Luciano
Lutan Fyah
Lyrical Benjie
Macka B
Mad Professor
Mafia & Fluxy
Manasseh
Marina Peralta
Matamba
Morgan Heritage
Mystical Powa
Oso Fyah
Paolo Baldini DubFiles
Patois Brothers
Paul Fox
Perfect Giddimani
Prince Alla
Queen Omega
Ranking Joe
Ras Amlak
Ras Teo
Rasta
Richie Stephens
Scientist
Sintonize
Sizzla
Soul Syndicate
Stephen Marley
Stick Figure
Tafari
Tafarri
The Disciples
The Ligerians
The Steppas
Tiken Jah Fakoly
Toledo
Tosh
Tosh
Tuff Steppas
Valiant
Vibronics
Yaadcore
Ziggi Recado
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Dread Mar I
Natiruts
Stick Figure
Rasta
YG Marley
IRAH
Stephen Marley
J Boog
Alborosie
Barrington Levy
Jimmy Cliff
iNi Kamoze
The Wailers
Sizzla
Capleton
Tony Q Rastafara
Gregory Isaacs
Toots & The Maytals
David Marley
Common Kings
Tiken Jah Fakoly
Iration
Buju Banton
Tarrus Riley
Eek-A-Mouse
Mo'Kalamity
Valiant
The Hip Abduction
Gustah
El Roockie
Don Carlos
Queen Omega
Ziggy Marley
Peter Tosh
Steel Pulse
Little Lion Sound
Dawn Penn
Flowering Inferno
Fyahbwoy
Jah Cure
Kabaka Pyramid
Small Jam
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Mato Seco
Anthony B
Dennis Brown
Israel Vibration
Morgan Heritage
Horace Andy
Skarra Mucci
Beres Hammond
O.B.F
Bob Marley
Kafu Banton
Lutan Fyah
Steven & Coconuttreez
The Upsetters
Cocoa Tea
Alton Ellis
Toledo
Mellow Mood
Romain Virgo
Chezidek
Yellowman
The Skatalites
Quique Neira
Culture
Tribo De Jah
U-Roy
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Bunny Wailer
Brother Culture
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Pupajim
Prince Fatty
Black Uhuru
Dezarie
Marcus Gad
Chris Boomer
The Frightnrs
John Holt
Irie Ites
Bugle
Luciano
Hatikva 6
LITTLE JOHN
Laguna Pai
Rebel Souljahz
Etana
Jesse Royal
Duane Stephenson
Richie Spice
The Congos
Momonon
Ireland Boss
Mad Professor
Linval Thompson
Lion Rezz
Julian Marley