Reggae is a combination of traditional African rhythms, American rhythm and blues and indigenous Jamaican folk conventions. Reggae is a Jamaican musical style based on American soul music but with inverted rhythms. Most people who perform reggae music are Rastafarians. Rastafarians are members of a Jamaican messianic movement dating back to the 1930s. Bob Marley was largely responsible for the popularity of reggae.

After Bob Marley died, reggae lost much of its international energy. In the late 1980s and 1990s Bob Marley's son, Ziggy Marley and other young performers revitalized reggae. In the 1960s, the term "reggae" was used in reference to a "ragged" form of dance rhythm popular in Jamaica.

Reggae is a music unique to Jamaica, but it has roots in New Orleans R&B. Reggae's forefather is ska. Ska is based on the New Orlean's R&B that Jamaican musicians heard as broadcasted from the U.S. on their transitor radios.

Reggae hits have been covered by mainstream rock stars from Eric Clapton and the Stones to the clash and the Fugees. Jamaica's music effect on the worldwide dance scene.

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