Rocksteady Reggae | Slow Tempo Early Reggae

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The Birth of Jamaican Reggae: From Ska to Rocksteady to Reggae

In the early 1960s, Jamaica’s music scene was alive with the upbeat sounds of ska, a fast, horn-driven genre inspired by American R&B and jazz. Ska’s pioneers like Prince Buster, The Skatalites, and Desmond Dekker laid the foundation with infectious rhythms that got the island — and soon the world — dancing. The driving beat and energetic brass captured the optimism of post-independence Jamaica.

By the mid-1960s, the tempo slowed, giving birth to rocksteady. This smoother, bass-heavy style emphasized soulful vocals and socially conscious lyrics. Artists like Alton Ellis, The Paragons, and Ken Boothe brought a more romantic and introspective tone to the music. Producers such as Duke Reid of Treasure Isle Records and Coxsone Dodd of Studio One became central figures, shaping the sound with innovative arrangements.

In the late 1960s, reggae emerged, characterized by its distinctive offbeat rhythm, deep basslines, and spiritual themes. It carried the voice of the people, touching on love, hardship, and Rastafarian culture. Early reggae icons included Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, and the young Bob Marley & The Wailers, produced by legends like Lee “Scratch” Perry. Record labels such as Studio One, Trojan Records, and Island Records played a key role in spreading reggae internationally, especially to the UK, where it found a strong audience among Caribbean immigrants and later the skinhead subculture.

This musical evolution — from ska’s upbeat joy, to rocksteady’s soulful groove, to reggae’s deep pulse — not only defined Jamaica’s cultural identity but also left a lasting impact on global music.
ska, rocksteady, reggae, Jamaican music history, Studio One, Trojan Records, Island Records, Bob Marley, Prince Buster, Jimmy Cliff, Lee Scratch Perry, Toots and the Maytals, Alton Ellis, The Skatalites, Desmond Dekker, Duke Reid, Coxsone Dodd, reggae history, ska history, rocksteady history



From Ska to Reggae: Jamaica’s Musical Journey

The Birth of Reggae: How Ska Evolved

Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae – Jamaica’s Sound Revolution

Early Reggae Icons You Must Know

The Story of Studio One and Trojan Records

Bob Marley’s Early Reggae Years

Prince Buster & The Rise of Ska

Rocksteady: The Sound Before Reggae

Jamaican Music Legends of the 60s

Reggae’s Roots: From Horns to Basslines