Reggae Rap
Located in 3 routes
Reggae Rap links hip-hop MCing to Jamaican deejay tradition, reggae rhythm, dancehall cadence, patois phrasing, sound-system culture and bass-heavy groove. It can be conscious, party-driven, pop-facing or streetwise, but it usually carries a bounce and vocal attack that comes from reggae and dancehall as much as rap. The style also reminds listeners that hip-hop's origins already included Caribbean sound-system practice.
History
Jamaican toasting and sound-system culture helped shape hip-hop's early DNA through figures like DJ Kool Herc, while dancehall and rap crossovers later grew through artists such as Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, KRS-One, Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Damian Marley, Kardinal Offishall and K'naan. Reggae rap also fed reggaeton, dancehall-pop, UK rap and Afro-diasporic club music. Its history is a two-way bridge rather than a one-time fusion.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- Sound of da Police — KRS-OneSpotifyYouTube
- Dolly My Baby — Super Cat feat. The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy & Third EyeSpotifyYouTube
- Ting-A-Ling — Shabba RanksSpotifyYouTube
- Make It Clap — Busta Rhymes feat. Sean Paul & Spliff StarSpotifyYouTube
- Temperature — Sean PaulSpotifyYouTube
- Welcome to Jamrock — Damian MarleySpotifyYouTube
Sources
- Dancehall and hip-hop histories
- Caribbean sound-system scholarship
- reggae-rap crossover coverage
- artist discographies