strong by Count Ossie and the Burru derived, Nyabinghi style of drumming. Rasta movement was at the forefront of
Jamaican culture and impacting the music scene globally. Singers like Bob Marley and Joseph Hill of Culture recorded Nyabinghi songs, as did many artists, solidifying Reggae music’s tie to rhythms generating from Africa in the time before slavery.
Because of the rhythmic lineage, Roots Reggae music itself is the direct manifestation of the “Back to Africa” movement popularized by Jamaican born social activist and leader Marcus Garvey. Considered a Prophet in the Rasta movement, Garvey sought to remind the descendants of slavery, who they are and where they are from, so that they can realize their own destiny and actively control the direction of their future.
Though many may see the meaning of “Back to Africa” literally, Roots Reggae
music reminds us that “Back to Africa” is more than the movement of Black North and South American and Caribbean people to Africa. It’s an idea, a conscious effort to discover and employ foundational cultural traditions, to acknowledge and honor ones heritage, and to be proud of your ancestry and understand where you come from.
the Skatalites, Don Drummond, was highly influenced by his time spent playing with Count Ossie and converted to to Rastafari,
shining a spotlight on the ever-growing movement. Other members of the Skatalites also converted. During the period of the mid 60’s as Ska had lost it’s popularity and Rocksteady was the rage, young up and comers like Toots and Bob Marley were just getting their musical feet wet. As the Rastafarian movement began to take hold and gathered more support, the music began to change. Where Ska was a very fast paced tempo, and Rocksteady was a very slow tempo, and medium paced tempo music emerged. This became known as Reggae.
In 1966 a pivotal moment took place that changed the cultural dynamic of Jamaica and forever influenced Jamaican music. This event was the visit by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to the Island of Jamaica. Regarded by Rastafarians as the “Lion of Judah” as prophesized in the Bible, His Imperial Majesty’s visit was the turning point for many people in Jamaica, including many musicians, singers, and songwriters. This led to a new form of Reggae music with socially conscious lyrics, Rasta spiritualism, and the “One Drop” rhythm known as Roots Reggae music. This music hit the scene in the late 60’s and it’s popularity continued through the late 70’s.
Many Roots Reggae bands and singers held strong ties to the traditional sounds kept