# Reggae — Genre

> Jamaican-origin music. Off-beat rhythm, social messages, distinctive groove.

## Defining elements

- Off-beat (skank) rhythm on guitar
- Bass line prominent (often melodic)
- Drums with distinctive pattern (rim shots, etc.)
- 4/4 time
- Mid tempo (70-90 BPM)
- Jamaican English / patois

## Sub-types

- **Roots reggae** — classic (Bob Marley, Burning Spear)
- **Dub** — instrumental remix (King Tubby, Lee "Scratch" Perry)
- **Dancehall** — modern faster (Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel)
- **Lovers rock** — romantic (Maxi Priest, Janet Kay)
- **Reggaeton** — Latin reggae fusion (Bad Bunny, J Balvin)
- **Nyabinghi** — drumming + chanting (Rastafarian)

## Typical instrumentation

Drums (Jamaican style) + bass (melodic) + electric guitar (skanking off-beat) + organ (Hammond) + horns + vocal

## Production characteristics

- Bass forward (felt physically)
- Off-beat guitar essential
- Lots of reverb / delay (especially dub)
- Vintage analog gear
- Live band feel

## Lyrics direction

- Social justice
- Rastafarian themes (Roots)
- Love (Lovers rock)
- Party (Dancehall)
- Spiritual / Jah
- Specific Jamaican references

## For Suno

```
[Style: classic roots reggae, 75 BPM, A minor, off-beat skanking electric 
guitar + melodic bass line forward + reggae drums with rim shots + Hammond 
organ + male vocal Jamaican accent, vintage warm production, social/
spiritual message]
```

## Examples

- Bob Marley (icon), Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals
- Modern: Damian Marley, Chronixx, Protoje
- Dancehall: Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beenie Man

## Avoid

- 4-on-the-floor kick
- Heavy distortion
- Synth-only production
- Wrong rhythm (must be off-beat)
- Generic vocals (Jamaican feel essential)