Reggae and Ska: An Important Role In Jamaican Culture And Music

Reggae's feel-good grooves coupled with social messages have sustained it since its inception in the 1960s, and there's no better way to start exploring it than on a site devoted to reggae master Bob Marley. Here you can appreciate his impact via audio clips as well as essays on Rastafarianism, the religion that has played such an important role in Jamaican culture and music.

Tuff Gong Records, on which Bob Marley and the Wailers issued their albums, has launched a site that includes all the releases put out by the label's many popular reggae artists. Photo archives at several sites bring reggae to life; particularly illuminating are photos of influential Rastafarian figure and Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie. In addition to concert schedule, discographies, and links to reggae e-zines, you can easily find esoteric information that will improve your grasp of reggae culture, such as how to create your own dreadlocks and understand Jamaican slang.

Ska's popularity, meanwhile, has been reinvigorated thanks to a new crop of bands, mostly American, that preside over a thriving subculture. Numerous sites have popped up that teach fans ska's history, its unique dance steps, and the best places to find ska CDs. Analogous to Tuff Gong, Moon Ska Records in New York City showcases copious amounts of information on its beloved bands, as well as selling vinyl albums, clothes, books, and videos centered on the movement. Chat rooms and e-mail lists make connecting with other ska fans easier than ever, allowing rude boys and girls from all over the country to share their reactions to the music that captivates them.