Personal Blog: It's Reggae Month Again

Source: http://pbsthisdayinhistory.tumblr.com/post/42432475712/february-6-1945-a-reggae-legend-is-born-on

As a child growing up in Jamaica, music was always part of my personal cultural up bringing. I say, personal up bringing because of my family and many other families across Jamaican who regarded reggae as “rage music” or Rasta music. My point is Rastafarian were regarded as the worst of the Jamaican society. For those of us who may have forgotten reggae music was also regarded as devil worshiping music. Today reggae is recognized all over the world, thanks in part to Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and the many others who took it all over Europe, Africa and the United States.

Reggae has come a far way, but more needs to be done, however I am pleased to see that the Jamaican government seems to be finally embracing this art form. Again, this year saw the Jamaica ReggaeIndustry Association (JaRIA) putting on a month filled with activities. After last year’s cancelation, the Dennis Brown concert in Downtown was a major success. John Holt delivered an exceptional performance and had the audience wanting for more. According to the Jamaica Observer, “Marla Brown — daughter of late Dennis Brown, Crown Prince of Reggae — proved herself worthy by effortlessly offering renditions of her father's songs to the audience's delight.”

As the reggae community in Jamaica celebrates Reggae Month, this February, let us not forget two of our fallen pioneers, who went home to sing with the angels. Earlier this month we lost Bunny Rugs of Third World band and on February 17, 2014 we lost Wayne “Sleng Teng” Smith. Smith is well know back in the mid-eights, for the hit Sleng Teng riddim and the popular song “Under Mi Sleng Teng” on the same riddim. Smith is also credited for changing the ways reggae music was recorded, as the first producer to go digital. Smith died of an apparent heart attack at the Kingston Public Hospital in Jamaica.