The Reggae Stigma

Coming back to this thought of the stigma of reggae music... Here is the answer posted on the Lion of Zion site (link below).

Yes, there is a stigma attached to reggae music. When most people think of reggae they think of; Bob Marley, Jamaica, Selassie worship, ganja, jammin' and feelin' irie, etc....

Although Bob Marley was the first international reggae star and is the crowned king of reggae, there is so much more to reggae in beliefs, artists and styles then Bob alone. It is hard to be a non Jamaican doing Jamaican music, but there are countless reggae bands from all over the world now that are making it easier. It has been artists like UB40 and all of the other UK bands that are huge, not to mention Big Mountain and all of the American reggae bands that have helped to pave the way for us and make reggae that is not of Jamaican decent more accessible and accepted. The Selassie worship and ganja stigmas are the hardest for us to combat. Many people still think that Christian reggae is an oxymoron. This is not the case since it has always been spiritual. In fact, reggae music began in the Christian church in Jamaica and most of the popular reggae artists today started in the Christian church. As Christafari it is our desire to take reggae back to its true foundation.

I honestly don't feel uncomfortable on stage at a non-Christian venue. Although I am by no means ignorant of my surroundings and of the spiritual warfare that takes place. I often feel like Paul at Mars Hill. Jesus said that it is the sick that need a doctor, and I can't think of a people group that need more spiritual guidance than those who go to bars and set out to get as drunk as possible and go home with a new person every night. I was there at one time in my life. I know what it is like. They are searching for something to complete them. Something to fill the void in their life. They are trying to reach that ultimate High. Just like the U2 song they "Still haven't found what their looking for". And they won't until they receive Christ. There is no high like the most High!

Believe it or not, in those type of places we receive an extremely warm welcome. You see reggae music is the perfect vehicle for the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is inherently spiritual. In our music we simply glorify Jesus Christ and not Selassie. However, we still receive some persecution from the legalistic church for this type of music and ministry. But those aren't the people that we are called to reach in the first place.


In reading this I can understand a great deal about the significance of both the aesthetics and underlying components in the reggae subculture.

The anonymous respondant understands reggae from its bases, from its roots. The original indigenous expression has often conflicted with social ideas and the resulting stigma which has become established in commercial society. He is adamant that through everything the place where reggae music aims to touch is in peoples' hearts, and their spirits. He claims that reggae is able to give to those in need... those who are searching for something that is missing, and reggae will be able to make thier world whole again. Their belief in god and love will be re-awakened in thier hearts through the lyrics and rhythms that transpire from reggae. I believe that the author refers to the culture he is submerged in as one that allows himself, and those around him, enlightenement. The music, the ideas, the soul and spirit that reggae carries with it provide the stength to give its followers clarity.

This is the perfect example of the authenticity of a culture shining through. There is no doubt that the author knows how commerical the music and associated factors can be percieved, and how wrong many people can look upon the phenomenon of 'Jamaican' music, but he encourages us to delve deeper than what we see on the surface.

His thoughts are not dissimilar from much of the literature on reggae music and the debates surrounding its commercialism. A fusion of capitalist needs and the original agenda of reggae music can often lead to the music becoming lost in its own commercialization and tourism and the market forces of the globalized music industry.

Despite this, this author is an obvious believer in the trueness of reggae and its soul and his dedication to using it to improve how the world depicts the beginnings of reggae and where its traditions emulated from.