Political Reggae

With Jamaica's high illiteracy rate, the country's music has long been considered the newspaper for the oppressed. In the early '70s, as a restless generation embraced Rastafarianism, message songs prevailed. Enter Bob Marley & the Wailers, who became kingpins of the conscious lyric, launching a musical revolution that changed the face of popular music.

Successful '70s reggae singers sported fatigues and dreads; they carried messages of social injustice, Rasta preachings, and a deep appreciation for the motherland. Hear the sentiment "we nah born here" in "Satta Massa Gana" and feel that Jamaicans were in need of a change for the better.

Black Uhuru arrived in the early '80s, Sizzla and Morgan Heritage in the '90s, and Jah Cure in the '00s — all carrying the roots and culture banner forward. Political reggae songs continue to be an essential ingredient of Jamaican music, touching audiences worldwide.

Political lyrics were recorded in Jamaica as early as the '60s, but they became immensely popular from 1974-81, when Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Jacob Miller — all known for their love songs — underwent their Rasta conversion. Bob Marley experienced a similar process, delving into writing of his experiences growing up in the Trenchtown ghetto, his songs "Redemption Song," and "Get Up, Stand Up" touching souls and inspiring future generations of musicians and fans.