Jamaican music, mainly Reggae, has seen surge in popularity in recent times. Other sounds from the island include Ska, Dancehall and Rocksteady. Perhaps, it is not only the musical melody and in particular the beat, but also how Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean are romanticized by not only the travel industry, but through film and other forms of media and entertainment as well.

The term “reggae” came from the Jamaican word “streggae”, which means a woman or man who dresses a little on the raggedy side. One day a couple of friends started doing a dance imitating the streggae in their eyes. They shortened the name to reggae and the beat they developed began. It became popular worldwide in the 1970′s mostly through the work of the famous musician Bob Marley.

Jamaica has a rich history with a multicultural background. Beginning with 1655, when England gained control of the island from Spain, many African were brought to the Caribbean Islands, including Jamaica through the slave trade, facilitating the mixture of the cultures, languages and religions. That is why the one-drop rhythm, which is the basis of reggae, is an original African rhythm.

As part of the multi culture, some other traditional sounds are waltzes, folk music, ska and calypso. While ska is a blend of rhythm and blues, mixing soft vocals with horn instruments, calypso, or mento, is a mix of African and European music, where acoustical instruments like guitars and banjo are used to play the calypso blend. Calypso actually emerged in the mid 20th century and spread rapidly throughout the whole Caribbean.

There is little doubt that Reggae and other Jamaican music will long be popular in most areas of the world.

Jamaican music takes us to a mystical place, so different from our usual day to day life scenario, and the upbeat rhythms give us a lift and make us happy.

Learn about Bob Marley Legend at www.bobmarleylegend.com.