July 1st celebrates International Reggae Day, a date that pays tribute to one of the most influential and spiritual musical genres of the 20th century. Born on the vibrant Caribbean island of Jamaica, reggae has conquered the world with its hypnotic rhythm, its committed lyrics and its profound message of peace, resistance and dignity.
What began as a local cultural movement is today a global artistic manifestation, capable of inspiring, uniting, and mobilizing millions of people through its slow chords, its prominent bass, and its rebellious essence.
A rhythm that changed the musical history of the Caribbean and the world
Reggae emerged in the late 60s as an evolution of rocksteady and ska, two previous genres also originated in Jamaica. The first song that many scholars point to as a pioneer of the new sound was “Long Shot Bus Me Bet” by the group The Pioneers in 1967. However, it was in 1968 when more defined reggae recordings began to appear, such as “Nanny Goat” by Larry Marshall and “No More Heartaches” by The Beltones.
The genre quickly captured the attention not only of the Jamaican public, but also of listeners in Europe and America. One of the most decisive moments in its international projection was the premiere of the film The Harder They Come in 1972, starring the musician Jimmy Cliff. Shortly after, Eric Clapton's version of “I Shot the Sheriff” in 1974 took reggae to the top of the charts in the United States.
Bob Marley and the Echoes of an Immortal Message
Talking about reggae is talking about Bob Marley, the artist who not only made this musical style known globally, but also became a universal symbol of struggle, spirituality, and love. His legacy lives on in songs like
“Redemption Song”,
“One Love” and
“Get Up, Stand Up”, which today are part of the world's soundtrack.
But Marley was not alone. Artists like Dennis Brown, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, Jackie Mittoo, and a new generation of musicians have contributed to keeping the spirit of reggae alive and evolving.
From Local Movement to Universal Expression
The
International Reggae Day was first celebrated in 1994, as a proposal by radio stations in Jamaica to dedicate a full day to the dissemination of its musical roots. The intention was to highlight not only traditional reggae, but also its ramifications:
mento,
ska,
rocksteady,
dub and
dancehall.
Over time, the initiative ceased to be a local celebration and became an international cultural event. Currently, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, and special broadcasts are held in different countries, reaffirming the reach and transcendence of reggae as a deeply human art form.
World Heritage
On November 29, 2018,
UNESCO inscribed reggae on the list of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its contribution to issues such as social justice, resistance against oppression, universal love, and Afro-descendant cultural identity.
According to the international organization, reggae is "a sociopolitical expression, a voice for the voiceless, and a tool for community cohesion." With this, not only its artistic value is recognized, but also its role as a vehicle for social transformation.
Spanish
