The reggae derives from the mento and acquired its name in the late 1960s. Reggae musicians have been influenced by Rastafarianism, a cult movement that looks to Africa as the motherland of all black peoples. Bob Marley (1945-1981) was the first important artist of this style. Four eras of reggae can be identified: ska, rock steady, roots reggae and dancehall. The underlying rhythmic pattern of reggae is a syncopated version of eight to the bar, with rests on beats one and four and accents on beats three and seven.
Genre Guide 2000 · World/Folk