Glossary of Reggae and Ska Music Terms
These words and phrases are commonly associated with reggae, ska and other Jamaican music. Some are common phrases used in song lyrics, some are cultural references, and some are musical terms, but they're all essential for ska and reggae fans!
Toasting
Toasting is a style of lyrical chanting which, in Jamaican and other African-inspired musical traditions, involves a deejay chanting over a rhythm. Toasting, as it is used in dancehall music, was the predecessor to modern rap and hip-hop.
Toasting is a style of lyrical chanting which, in Jamaican and other African-inspired musical traditions, involves a deejay chanting over a rhythm. Toasting, as it is used in dancehall music, was the predecessor to modern rap and hip-hop.
Bashment
Bashment can refer to either dancehall music, or a large party where dancehall music is played.
Bashment can refer to either dancehall music, or a large party where dancehall music is played.
Patois
Patois (or Patwa) is an Afro-English dialect, widely spoken in Jamaica. Many reggae and ska songs are sung in Patois.
Patois (or Patwa) is an Afro-English dialect, widely spoken in Jamaica. Many reggae and ska songs are sung in Patois.
Mento
Mento is the early "country" folk music of Jamaica, characterized by folk instruments, a reggae backbeat, and occasionally bawdy lyrics.
Mento is the early "country" folk music of Jamaica, characterized by folk instruments, a reggae backbeat, and occasionally bawdy lyrics.
Reggae
Reggae music is perhaps one of the best-known genres of world music, and was popularized in the United States in the 1960s by artists such as Bob Marley.
Reggae music is perhaps one of the best-known genres of world music, and was popularized in the United States in the 1960s by artists such as Bob Marley.
Riddim
Riddim refers to an instrumental, stripped-down version of a reggae, ska or dancehall song. It is usually heavy on drums and bass, and is often played while a dancehall deejay "toasts", or raps.
Riddim refers to an instrumental, stripped-down version of a reggae, ska or dancehall song. It is usually heavy on drums and bass, and is often played while a dancehall deejay "toasts", or raps.
Rocksteady
Rocksteady music is a derivative of ska music that became popular in Jamaica during the late 1960s, when reggae music was also becoming popular. Popular artists of the rocksteady era of jamaican music are Toots and the Maytals, Justin Hinds and the Dominoes and Alton Ellis.
Rocksteady music is a derivative of ska music that became popular in Jamaica during the late 1960s, when reggae music was also becoming popular. Popular artists of the rocksteady era of jamaican music are Toots and the Maytals, Justin Hinds and the Dominoes and Alton Ellis.
Ska
Ska music is by far one of the most popular genres of world music. Ska music has been through several incarnations, from traditional Jamaican ska to second-wave two-tone ska and finally American third-wave ska, which fused ska and punk music.
Ska music is by far one of the most popular genres of world music. Ska music has been through several incarnations, from traditional Jamaican ska to second-wave two-tone ska and finally American third-wave ska, which fused ska and punk music.