Reggae and Dub Reggae

1970s onward

Bob Marley

Reggae began in 1968 with the release of 'Do the Reggay' by Toots and the Maytals. Later Bob Marley took the 'Ska' music of the shantytowns in Kingston, Jamaica, slowed the tempo and introduced a much heavier bass whilst retaining the strong upbeat, his name became synonymous with Reggae.

Dub reggae was developed by Jamaican 'deejays' who began to rap over the instrumental B-sides of Reggae singles to make a new, Dub version of the song. Dub reggae in turn evolved into Reggae deejay or Dancehall music.

In the 1990's this style evolved further with Electro dub reggae which had a synthesised bass line, and was a big hit on the London club scene.