Globalization_of_Reggae

Globalization of Reggae Bob Marley first made reggae into an international phenomenon. In the wake of his success in the 1970s came a host of other names, and it wasn’t long until reggae became an established genre of music. Reggae was simply the growth, the development, of what had been happening in Jamaican music. Beginning with ska, and then rock steady, the loudest island in the world had declared its real musical independence, and had already made an imprint on the world, albeit a small one. In his article, “Reggae Music Isn’t Jewish but a lot of the Ideas Are,” Dorian Lynskey writes about Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew who sings reggae music, and how he has become popular around the world. Barry Davis writes in his article, The United Voice of Reggae, that reggae music is enjoyed by all people in Israel - including high-ranking army officers and intellectuals. Carl Moxie explains in his article, Let Reggae Music Be, why reggae is able to penetrate the American music industry and how the American take on reggae is conversely effecting the Jamaican culture. Reggae’s roots can be traced to West Africa. In the seventeenth century, large numbers of West Africans were enslaved by British colonists and brought by ship to work in sugar can fields of the West Indies. Although the British attempted to prevent slaves from playing traditional African music, in fear it would serve as a rallying cry to revolt, the slaves managed to keep alive the tradition of African drumming, sometimes by integrating it with the European musical styles imposed by the slave owners. In Jamaica, the drumming of one group of slaves, the Burru, was openly tolerated by slave holders because it helped meter the pace of work. When slavery was finally abolished in Jamaica in 1834, the tradition of Burru drumming continued. Many Burru men migrated to the slums of Kinston, Jamaica, where a new religious cult was beginning to emerge. This religious group called themselves Rastafarians and soon merged their biblical themes of oppression and liberation with the Burru style of drumming, thus creating the foundation of reggae music. After the influence of American jazz and rhythm and blues, the combination created the modern reggae beat that forms Jamaican culture. The themes and rhythms of reggae music are universal. According to Carl Moxie, Jamaicans have “created the most sought after rhythm that has ever been created for any music.” This means that it can easily be transformed to fit any genre of music, and it is. In America, the reggae rhythm has been merged with hip hop music and is frequently used in television commercials. The rhythm portrays a summer feel, which is great for marketing happiness in commercials. The themes that reggae spread are that of peace and love. In a time where war and hate are seen throughout the world, people want to see peace and love. This reason alone is enough for the upbeat tones and happy messages of reggae to spread quickly. In Australia, Dorian Lynskey talks about the success of Matisyahu. Matisyahu, formally known as Matthew Paul Miller, is an American Hasidic Jewish reggae singer. This man just screams globalization. With his religion based in Europe, his family from America, his music from Jamaica, and he is being talked about in Australia. He is widely accepted because his songs have the reggae beat and lyrics that can be applied to everyone. Matisyahu sings mainly about the basic Jewish beliefs, which can be applied to anyone’s life. He sings of love, faith, and being a good person; all ideas that should be apparent in everyday life. Lynskey explains that Matisyahu sees the same as the reggae music, which is why he chose reggae as a way to express himself. Both have a sense of humility, which draw you into the music. Lynskey states that this is unlike most other religions, who “claim to have all the answers.” He believes this is what “turns people off” from religion. If people feel comfortable listening to idea of reggae, then they are going to keep on listening to it. In 2001, when Barry Davis’s article The United Voice of Reggae was published in The Jerusalem Post, the first book about Bob Marley was published in Hebrew. Davis quotes the publisher and translator of the book, Gil Bonstein, when he says that “reggae unifies people from right across the social spectrum.” This hold true. Reggae was established by the poor black people of Jamaica and is enjoyed by middle-class white teenagers in America and high-ranking army officers and intellectuals in Israel. In contrast, reggae music has been influence by America. Carl Moxie sees the merging of hip hop and reggae as America “watering down” reggae music. According to Moxie, this could be a bad thing. He considers the fact that reggae music was originally influenced by American jazz and rhythm and blues and wonders what could happen now that America is changing reggae. Why is reggae being changed anyway' Moxie thinks this is because not many, if anyone, can fully understand the lyrics of real reggae in the original Jamaican dialect. Although he thinks that is the reason, he does not agree with it. He claims that not many, if anyone, can fully understand American rap, but no one goes around changing that. Moxie believes that “when non-Jamaicans change the reggae rhythm for unfounded reasons it means that they do not know or respect the Jamaican roots, heritage, or culture.” If something is being changed against the culture, this could portray negative views of that culture. Hip hop can have some very offensive lyrics and if someone confuses hip hop with reggae that person might relate reggae to being offensive. This is quiet the opposite of reggae. People might start to see Jamaica as an offensive culture, when in reality, it is a very laid back and happy one. Also, the globalization of American technology has an influence on reggae music. In America, there are keyboards that can simulate the sounds of any conceivable instrument. This synthesized reggae has become cost-effective for record producers, therefore creates a smaller need for reggae musicians. This reduced need is detracting from the creative artistry of the musicians and is contributing to the unemployment of reggae musicians. If there is no way to express a culture, the culture eventually dies. Even though the American globalization of reggae has helped out Jamaicans by influencing original reggae, it is conversely destroying the culture. The simple message of unity that Bob Marley sings in his hit song “One Love,” is a message that the whole world follows. Although it may not be obvious, the world becomes a little closer together when it embraces the rhythm and themes of reggae music. American culture helped create the original reggae beat and, in turn, reggae has helped shape American music. Works Cited Davis, Barry. "The United Voice of Reggae." Jerusalem Post 26 July 2001, Daily ed.: 10. NewsBank. Web. 7 Oct. 2009. Lynskey, Dorian. "Reggae Music Isn't Jewish but a lot of the Ideas Are." Sydney Moring Herald 27 May 2006, First ed.: 4. NewsBank. Web. 7 Oct. 2009. Moxie, Carl B. "Let Reggae Music Be." Everybody's 17.6 (1993): 45. ProQuest. Web. 7 Oct. 2009.