Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae

Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae is a documentary that allows us to take a peek into what they call 'Jamaica's Golden Age of music,' Rocksteady. The film features the music and the stories of some of reggae's greatest legends during the Rocksteady era.

Rocksteady was the music of Jamaica from 1966-1969 which eventually transformed into Reggae by the 1970s.

In 1962, when Jamaica gained its independence from the Great Britain, Jamaica was filled with celebration, optimism, economic growth and opportunity - which was reflected through music.

Recording studios became more prominent throughout the island during this time period where hits like "You Don't Love Me Anymore, No No No," "Tide Is High" and "Rivers of Babylon," were created.

By 1968, however, Jamaica’s economic bubble had burst and unemployed youths fought with police for control of the streets. As violence, poverty and political upheaval spread, Rocksteady artists stopped singing about love and romance and instead gave voice to the social problems around them.

Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae serves as a history lesson. We all appreciate the music but many of us are unaware of the history of it, how it was derived and its purpose.

The documentary was released in Canada earlier this week but unfortunately leaving the rest of us unsure of when to expect it to reach everywhere else, but watch the movie trailer and keep a look out for when it is released in your area.

Source: AbortMagazine