The Threat Reggae Faces in Contemporary Times

           

 

       Credit : phys.org

Reggae music is a genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1960s and has since become a popular genre of music worldwide. Reggae music is known for its message of peace, love, and social justice, and has been instrumental in promoting social change and activism. However, despite its widespread popularity, reggae music is not without its challenges and dangers.

One of the main dangers facing reggae music is censorship. Reggae music has often been associated with controversial and subversive themes that challenge mainstream power structures. Subversive themes such as criticism of government policies or social injustices can be seen as a threat to the established order leading to censorship or outright banning of the music.

Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae music, has a long history of censorship and repression of music, particularly if it contains lyrics that are perceived as promoting violence or going against the cultural or religious values of the community. In 1985, for instance, the Jamaican government banned the music of influential reggae artist Peter Tosh, claiming that his lyrics were promoting violence and disrespect for authority.

Additionally, the worldwide popularity of reggae music has led to the commercialization and commodification of the genre. The corporatization of reggae music has led to a homogenization of the sound for the sake of wider appeal to consumers. This has led to a situation where the original meaning and purpose of the genre has been lost in the pursuit of commercial success.

The commercialization of reggae music has also led to cultural appropriation, where artists outside of Jamaica have taken on the reggae sound and style without understanding the culture and history behind it. This lack of understanding can trivialize the struggles of Jamaica that are reflected in reggae music and reduce it to a mere trend.

Another danger facing reggae music is the marginalization of female artists. Reggae music has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, with very few female artists being promoted or given equal opportunities. Women in reggae music have often been dismissed or relegated into the background, with their contributions not being recognized fully.

Moreover, the very nature of the music industry means that many reggae artists live difficult lives of poverty and struggle for recognition and pay. This struggle is particularly acute for those artists who have not aligned themselves with the mainstream and are more susceptible to market forces that can limit their reach and potential.

In conclusion, reggae music has been a powerful contributor to change and revolution in society. However, its significance continues to face challenges from censorship and commodification to cultural appropriation and marginalization of female artists. These difficulties require that steps be taken to preserve the integrity and meaning of the genre both to those who have loved it for decades as well as to those who are newly discovering it. While individual artists can use their voice to push back against commercialization and marginalization and continue to advocate for social justice, it will take a collective commitment to keep the roots of reggae alive while also ensuring it grows to reach a wider audience.