Issential Knowledge

So because I go to school in New Orleans, I am blessed with a week off in February for the Marti Gras festivities. Though I respect the tradition of Marti Gras, I’m not too enthusiastic about the college version of the holiday, so instead I took the opportunity to go to Jamaica, the birthplace of Reggae music, and reconnect with family and friends from former lives. The week long trip during Black History Month, and what I found to be “Reggae Month” in Jamaica, was long overdue but right on time. The experience was unforgettable, so for the next few posts, Ill be highlighting some of my favorite experiences as it relates to Reggae music, and the American Reggae community.

The biggest breakthrough was finally understanding why its so difficult to get Reggae music outside of Jamaica. Any Reggae artist that is known outside of Jamaica, is already known by everyone on the the island. The radio serves as the primary source for news and entertainment, so most Jamaicans are well versed in the popular music. Artists are deemed not ready for the marketplace unless they have already achieved success in Jamaica. This is the same for other genres, yet because of geographic isolation that Jamaica faces and the relatively low level of technology, this prolongs the release of Jamaican music abroad for months.

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Greetings fellow Reggae enthusiasts. I would like to welcome you to the HipHop-Reggae.com, your definitive guide for all of the most cutting edge music and news coming from the world of Reggae music. My name is Marley “One” Lovell, and I am Rastafarian since birth as well as a obsessive fan of Reggae music. Growing up in the beautiful Bay Area California, I attended the Reggae on the River festival in Humbolt County every year with my family and friends. As i grew older I became more interested in Rap and Hip-Hop music.

As an adult I have returned to my roots discovering the passion for Reggae that my parents shared. As you will come to learn I have a fundamental respect for roots Reggae of the the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk, and of course my all time favorites, Sly & Robbie, the infamous “Riddim Twins.” The only thing the excites me more than Reggae, is the acceptance of Reggae by the Hip-Hop community. I consider myself a member of both cultures, and I think hat Hip-Hop and Reggae share a fundamental origin in the struggle of Black youth in urban environments.

Through out the history of Reggae music it has crossed many genre boundaries, but Hip-Hop has presented more than just an opportunity for a different sound. It has offered a chance to re capture the American market post Bob Marley, and create a fruitful sub genre. There are several examples of successful crossover from the 90’s from artists such as Super Cat and Shabba Ranks, but the real moves have been made in the new millennium by artists like Buju Banton, Sean Paul, Collie Buddz, Beenie Man, and of course the signing of Sizzla my Hip-Hop mogul Damon Dash.

Speaking of Sizzla, he has been absolutly torching the air waves and I think before you know it he will be a houshold name in the Hip-Hop community. Over the past couple years he has appeared on tracks with the likes of Styles P., Talib Kweli, Nas, and Juelz Santana. The latest things that I am super hyped on is an official music video with the “greatest rapper alive,” Lil’ Wayne, who kicks one of the illest pat tios verses I have ever heard. Much love and respect to these two for this submission from the Carter 3, and much respect to all of you for checking me out here at HipHop-Reggae.com. Enjoy, you’ll be hearing from me soon.
Respect