How important is reggae in Africa?

Reggae is one very important medium for us as Africans as it seres to awakens us from our slumber to stand up to social injustice and to tackle issues that have continued to be our bane.

Bob Marley, no doubt, is the greatest Reggae singer of all time and there's no doubt that his songs have been an inspiration for some of us to stand up for our rights.

reggae has been a two-edged sword in africa: awakening some people's conscience, and turning others into 'ganja' or marijuana smokers.

Happy Birthday Bob!!! You will always live in our hearts!

It’s been said soldiers in my birth country of Ethiopia and my blood country of Eritrea have fought wars listening to the same reggae music for inspiration. I suspect the same goes for several wars in Africa. Though reggae music promote universal love, healing, brotherhood, justice….…many politicians and alike have used its message to mean self-love or love of once tribe, surgically removing its universality. Reggae will remain important to Africa, for that matter to the world, as long as it keeps its message of oneness. Reggae musicians, as do all artists, will always have an influence over the outcome of politics if they courageously stand up for the truth. The danger is when an artist sees the truth through the lenses of religion, tribalism………, as the Ivorian singer Alpha Blondy did in the 1990’s.

Shito

The greatest contribution to reggea in Africa is in the production of renowned artist like Lucky Dube. Despite the massive philosophical messages that abound in the music, it had never had any significance in governance of the poor nor does it seem to educate them on their political rights.

Absolutely important! Bob Marley, through his songs, contributed to an awakening of consciousness for many people throughout the world and for Africans in particular.

The insidious and gangrenous ghost of neocolonialism that is hunting Africa and impeding its development finds its strength through what Bob Marley called "mental slavery;" from which he called Africans to "emancipate themselves [from]."

The echoes of Bob Marley philosophical message still reverberate in the mind of Africans who, despite the brutal regimes that "lead" our countries, are starting to push back against these self-serving governments who have more regards for their neocolonialist patrons. Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and other countries have started singing the tunes of Bob Marley...I hope the rest of Africa will hear them and join the choir.


Ribaz, Boston (USA).

if Bob Marley were to be a politician, he would have long been forgotten. The roots of reggae is in africa and africans feel part of this music brand also because the man beleived to be the God of reggae - the late emperor Heal sealesti, came from africa musicians have a big role to play in politics but need not to be politicians to play the role. once this role is misunderstood no matter how popular you are you must crumble.

Reggae is huge in the African continent and has been for many years and will continue to be so. Reggae artists regularly perform in many of the African countries. The influence of Jamaican reggae has been such that many countries have their home grown version of reggae. Countries such as Nigeria,South Africa, Zimbabwe and Senegambia have copied reggae in their own way. DJ's play it in clubs. Radio plays it. Reggae is universal as is the message. A message to the poor to fight down Babylon,fight for your rights,overcome adversity and better yourself. Words of wisdom from HIM Haile Selassie I Jah Rastafari. One love is the true meaning of Reggae. No slackness.

Reggae music (roots reggae) is universal, it carries messages of peace and love which is meant to soothe the mind of the oppressed in this unjust world. Africans appear to be the people who have given so much in their relationship with the world and gained almost nothing and therefore the message from reggae soothes our soul and makes us keep marching on.

Reggae music plays a very important role in Africa. Reggea in Africa always carries a positive message; a message of hope, a message to unite, a message to help build Africa. And no other musical genre have had such an impact on Africans like reggae have. I started listening to reggae when I was 4 and even though I couldnt understand the lyrics, the rhythm of the song just comforts men but as I grew older and understand the lyrics, I begun to understand the message and only if our leaders will listen to reggae artist, the likes of Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, peter tosh and others only then will they be able to bring peace to Africa, and solidify the Unity of Africa. LONG LIVE AFRICA, AND WE PRAY FOR PEACE IN AFRICA

sungbee, awakening your conscience and smoking marijuana are not mutually exclusive.