Reggae has its roots in the poor ghettos of Jamaica. During the 1950s, touring DJs took their sound systems around the island playing mento: a blend of African and European folk. The DJs would 'toast' (chant or speak) over the records. As well as mento, the DJs would play rhythm'n'blues from New Orleans. Local artists blended these influences and brought the bass to the forefront. This sound evolved into ska-a genre made famous by artists such as Millie Small and Desmond Dekker. By slowing down the rhythmic beat of ska and blending it with influences from American jazz and rhythm and blues, a new genre called reggae emerged.
Reggae's biggest and best-known star is Bob Marley. His 1973 album "Catch A Fire" brought the reggae sound to the rest of the world and he was treated as hero in his native Jamaica. The album "Legend" released posthumously in 1981 stands as the best-selling reggae album.
Other notable figures in the Jamaican reggae movement include producer and songwriter Lee Scratch Perry. He was one of the first artists to record the reggae beat with the 1968 track "People Funny Boy" and he produced many artists, including Bob Marley and The Wailers. Toots and the Maytals was the first band to coin the phrase reggae with their 1968 track "Do The Reggay" [sic]. Chris Blackwell's record company Island was influential in the growth in popularity of reggae both inside and outside of Jamaica during the 1970s. Formed in 1959 in Jamaica, the label helped propel artists such as The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff and Desmond Dekker to stardom.
Growing dreadlocks and smoking marijuana is closely linked to Rastafarian philosophy. Many reggae songs, such as Bob Marley's "Zion Train," are entrenched in Rastafarian ideals. The struggle of poor Jamaicans and the slavery are familiar themes in many reggae songs.
Reggae is characterized by its 4/4 rhythm with the accent placed on the second and fourth beats. Reggae drummers place the emphasis on the third beat (or offbeat) giving reggae its distinctive rhythmic pattern. While the guitar traditionally takes a leading role in western popular music, reggae places the bass at the forefront of its sound. Early reggae can also be identified by the use of 'toasting' (chanting over music).
Reggae had a strong influence on the UK punk movement in the late 1970s with artists such as The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. Toasting is considered to be a precursor to the vocal style used in hip hop and rap, while dance music such as jungle, dancehall and drum'n'bass also boast a strong reggae influence.