Reggae Is The Most Underrated Genre
Bob Marley, the reggae pioneer, brought the genre to life in the 60s, quickly becoming a global phenomenon by the 70s. His beats and melodies have an almost magical way of inflicting peace upon the listener, accompanied by lyrics that simply make you feel like every little thing is gonna be alright. Reggae was born in the Caribbean islands, specifically Jamaica. Marley introduced the genre to the U.S., causing a wave of artists to follow in his footsteps. These artists created beautiful music about love. This stretches from love for the Earth (the ocean especially) to love for other humans, and of course, love for cannabis.
Image Courtesy: Steve Eichner/WireImage (Sublime)
Early artists like Bob Marley will always be hailed as the kings of the genre, but those who succeeded him in later years were far from a disappointment. Sublime, a group formed in the late 80s, identified themselves as more ska-punk than reggae. However, the sounds are very similar, given that ska was the precursor of reggae. Sublime stole the hearts of their listeners, touching heavily on their fan’s love for marijuana. The group does an unbelievable job of combining aspects of an alternative rock vibe with a beachy, serene feel. Listening to their music is kind of a roller coaster. One minute I see myself laying on a nice sandy beach basking in the sun; the next, I feel like I could shred up Jaws (there must be some type of drug embedded in “Same In The End”).
Slightly Stoopid emerged in the 90s, creating a new reggae sound many musical artists were inspired by. Their music includes an abundance of unique instruments, emphasizing the instrumental aspect of their sound. Their saxophonist plays a massive role in the tone of their music, as well as their acoustic and bass guitarists. They have found a way to curate a sound that is easily identifiable as theirs. To give way to the instrumental aspect of their music, lyrics are limited. This is a good thing by any means; it allows for more power within the lyrics, never failing at giving off a feel-good quality. Some good examples of this would be their songs “Closer To The Sun” and “Wiseman,” where intricate instrumentals dominate the lyrics. Slightly Stoopid simply has a way of making you feel high when you're completely sober (although it is an immaculate sound with cannabis involved).
Image Courtesy: Slightly Stoopid
Ahh, Stick Figure. The group that made me fall head over heels in love with this genre. I could go on for days about this artist, but I’ll try my best to spare you. Debuting in 2006, Stick Figure has created a sound that is so unique from others through a combination of their instrumentals, lyrics, and voices. I’m huge on the beats and instrumentals in music, which is really what I look for when it comes to my favorite artists. Stick Figure’s electric guitarist does an impeccable job of playing melodies that tickle the brain perfectly. Their creative and unique sound gives me chills, making it impossible to get bored of their music.The lyrics they write reach a new level of depth in their music, being relatable, calming, and genuinely thought-provoking (“Weight Of Sound” completely altered my brain chemistry). Whenever I listen to their music, I open my mind and take a step back to breathe. Whether I’m on top of the world or need some cheering up, Stick Figure will always be one of my favorite go-to's.
Artist Dirty Heads joined the scene in 2008 with their debut album, “Any Port In A Storm” (“Stand Tall” will always give me a serotonin rush). Their sound has more pop/hip-hop quality, which is most likely the reason behind their launch into the mainstream world. Although they have moved farthest away from the typical reggae sound, their music is still iconic, with relatable and catchy lyrics.
There are so many other artists that make up the reggae genre today, and it’s so hard not to mention them all. Unfortunately, I cannot write you a novel. That being said, if you’re in need of something different to listen to, take the time to give reggae a chance. Each artist has a unique sound, and it’s hard not to find at least one group that speaks to the soul. These songs dig deeper into the mind and touch on themes that aren’t typically utilized in the majority of other genres. This music is bound to make you fall in love with life (and maybe marijuana). It’s time to give reggae its flowers!
Strike Out,
Morgan Harms
Morgan Harms is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a pisces mermaid infatuated with the ocean and the color blue. She spends her free time daydreaming, wave hunting, and blasting music from whatever genre she’s into that day. You can reach her on Instagram @morganjharms, or by email morganjharms@gmail.com.
