Raggae was first mentioned as a musical term in the 1968 tune by Toots and the Maytals called “Do the Reggay”. This song introduced the genre to the world. It is a popular music form originating in Jamaican popular music that evolved out of ska and rocksteady. It is integral to the Diaspora and combines political and social commentary surrounding contemporary events. This perhaps explains its continuing evolution. It is clearly influenced by mento, American jazz, and rhythm and blues and heavily emphasizes bass and drum downbeat and offbeat rhythm section.

There is also a strong link between the Afrocentric Rastafari religion that began in 1930s Jamaica. This linkage helped the music expand across the globe, giving the genre worldwide visibility. The idea is that soldiers and musicians are tools for global change, bringing about the One Love gospel of the Disapora’s social revolution. The lyrics are often sung in Jamaican Patois or “pidgin English.” Regardless, with love proclaimed as its religion, reggae spread worldwide. As it did, it came to incorporate local instruments, and like any good rock-based genre, a fusion of music styles came into play.

Expanding into nearby Latin America, Reggae en Espanol popularized across Panama into the South American countries of Venezuela and Guyana and expanded from there across the continent reaching Portuguese-speaking Brasil. From there, we in Second Life have an ambassador of this genre in the unique stylings of Loopman Blep. It is worth acknowledging that, of course, reggae has expanded its influence into Europe and the United States, too. Excellent examples of this music are found in Bob Marley and his family, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, and fusion groups such as Third World. The music is about overcoming hard times, struggle, and, most of all, the One Love needed to overcome it all. Let this resonate in you as you listen to Loopman’s music!