Reggae and slavery

Last updated 2009-10-09

An exploration of the origins of reggae lyrics in the slave trade.

Reggae's influence and popularity both within and outside Jamaica reflects its 'third-world origins'. In particular, reggae's roots are embedded in the historical conditions of Jamaican slavery and colonialism.
Barry T. Bays, P. Renée Foster, Stephen A. King; Reggae, Rastafari and the Rhetoric of Social Control; 2002

In a sense, Jamaican people were born into a world of suffering because of slavery, and the vitality of music as a healing, uplifting part of life was born with them. The emotional effects that slavery has had on Jamaicans was heard in the music of that time and is still heard in the music of today.
Andy Tower, The Painful Path of Music - Slavery and Suffering in Jamaica and their effects on Jamaican Music, 1998

Now I think of reggae music as a form of verbal history. I pay attention to the lyrics of the songs because I now know that the artists are trying to tell me something. When I listen to reggae music, I feel strong. I use reggae music as a way to feel empowered. If the slaves of Jamaica overcame all that they did, I can do anything. That, I believe, is the message of reggae music.
Sarah Novick, The Effects of Slavery on Reggae Music

Reggae songs are often commentaries on social conditions, particularly in Jamaica.

Steel Pulse

Since the majority of Jamaicans are the descendants of enslaved Africans it's unsurprising that a number of reggae lyrics deal with the historical and social upheaval of slavery.

Some songs look back at past brutality and exploitation, some sing of the lost homeland in Africa and of hopes for repatriation.

Other songs celebrate Marcus Garvey and his philosophy of the return to Africa, while others deal with the political implications of that philosophy and of slavery for the present day.

The examples below are only some of the many reggae lyrics based on slavery. British reggae bands included in this list are Aswad, from London, and Steel Pulse from Birmingham.

Slavery came and took its toll
In the name of John Bull Dog
Said we turned our backs on God
Lost the powers that we had
As our back's agains' the wall
Ask ourselves about the fall
Rise Rise Rise
Hold onto your culture
Steel Pulse, Not King James Version