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.

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Alborosie
Alma Roots
Anthem Greatness
Beres Hammond
Bradamon Band
Brown Sugar
Bugle
Capleton
Chezidek
Chuck Fenda
Cidade Verde Sounds
Cornell Campbell
Cultural Warriors
Culture
David Marley
Delly Ranx
Delroy Wilson
Dennis Bovell
Derrick Sound
Dezarie
Dread Mar I
Duane Stephenson
Dub Princess
Dub Sonata
Edley Shine
Eek-A-Mouse
Etana
Fat Frog
Fiyah Mc
Fyahbwoy
George Nooks
Gregory Isaacs
GrooVI
Gustah
Haile Celestial
IRAH
Ireland Boss
Irie Ites
Jah Cure
Jah Darko
Jamrock
Jesse Royal
John Holt
Johnny Clarke
Julian Marley
Junior Daniel
Kibir La Amlak
King Jammy
King Kong
Kman 6ixx
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Leroy Sibbles
Leroy Smart
Linval Thompson
Lion Rezz
Little Lion Sound
Llamar "Riff Raff" Brown
Lone Ark
Lone Don
Lone Ranger
Luciano
Lukie Fwd
MARLEY
Mad Professor
Marcus Gad
Marina Peralta
MediSun
Melchizedek Freeman
Murray Man
Mykal Rose
Peetah Morgan
Raiz Tribal
Ranking Joe
Ras Michael
Ras Teo
Rasta
Richie Spice
Robert Ffrench
Romain Virgo
Rosy Valença
S. Coop
Sattalite
Scientist
Sly & Robbie
Soul Sugar
Stephen Marley
Super Black
Tarrus Riley
The Disciples
The Meditations
The Skatalites
Toledo
Tommy McCook
Toots & The Maytals
Tosh
Travelers All Stars
Truesounds
Valiant
Willi Williams
sly foxx
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Dread Mar I
Natiruts
Stick Figure
Rasta
IRAH
YG Marley
Stephen Marley
J Boog
Buju Banton
Ky-Mani Marley
Barrington Levy
Jimmy Cliff
Alborosie
The Wailers
Toots & The Maytals
Sizzla
iNi Kamoze
Capleton
Tony Q Rastafara
Gregory Isaacs
Iration
Common Kings
Tiken Jah Fakoly
David Marley
Beres Hammond
Tarrus Riley
The Hip Abduction
Small Jam
Gustah
Mo'Kalamity
Little Lion Sound
Eek-A-Mouse
Valiant
Steel Pulse
Don Carlos
El Roockie
Queen Omega
Ziggy Marley
Peter Tosh
Jah Cure
Kabaka Pyramid
Dawn Penn
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Flowering Inferno
Fyahbwoy
Anthony B
Israel Vibration
Mato Seco
Dennis Brown
Cocoa Tea
Skarra Mucci
Morgan Heritage
Bob Marley
Horace Andy
O.B.F
The Upsetters
Lutan Fyah
Steven & Coconuttreez
Kafu Banton
Lee "Scratch" Perry
The Skatalites
Mellow Mood
Chezidek
Alton Ellis
Toledo
Romain Virgo
Yellowman
Quique Neira
Brother Culture
Bunny Wailer
Tribo De Jah
Culture
U-Roy
Chris Boomer
Prince Fatty
Pupajim
John Holt
Irie Ites
Dezarie
The Frightnrs
Black Uhuru
Desmond Dekker & The Aces
Marcus Gad
Laguna Pai
LITTLE JOHN
Rebel Souljahz
Luciano
Hatikva 6
Bugle
Jesse Royal
Mad Professor
Richie Spice
Ireland Boss
Mykal Rose
Duane Stephenson
The Congos
Etana
Momonon
Singing Melody