If you know nothing else, you know the name Bob Marley, the 1980’s Reggae musician who brought amazing works to the world and shared the idea that three little birds will tell you that “every little thing gonna be all right!” He had such a distinctive sound that it reached out and touched almost every aspect of the world. He wasn’t the only Reggae artist by a long shot, instead being the most popular and well known in a musical style with deep spiritual roots and an august history in Ska and rocksteady music. International Reggae Day celebrates this Jamaican music style, and brings it to those unfortunates in the world who have yet to experience it.
History of International Reggae Day
International Reggae Day is an annual event held in Kingston, Jamaica and is dedicated to celebrating a style of music that entered into the world in a sleepy little country in the Carribbean and exploded to touch every corner of the world with it’s style. Originally born out of Ska and rocksteady style of musics in the 1960’s, it quickly gained distinction with it’s unpolished sound and dependence on rhythm. It took a few years as a grassroots movement before it began expanding.
Reggae became a powerful music with deep roots by the time Bob Marley joined the scene, and it’s influence has never really stopped spreading. The style of reggae has really spread wide, with tons of different styles popping up, including a type of poetry called Dub Poetry, which is West Indian Poetry being synced up with amazing reggae beats to create a musical poetry style all its own.
International Reggae Day is celebrated in Kingston, with thousands of fans and musicians coming from all over the world to gather there to celebrate the amazing history of reggae history.
How to Celebrate International Reggae Day
There’s some great ways to celebrate International Reggae Day, not the least of which is taking a trip down to Kingston to celebrate with some of the best music to be heard the world round. If you can’t actually get down to the area itself, then dress up in your best Rasta colors and fill your day with amazing Reggae beats. To add a culinary twist to International Reggae Day, cook up some Caribbean recipes and enjoy the flavor and sound of the Reggae culture. Goat meat is incredibly popular down there!
