From Slavery to Ska: The Jamaican History That Made Reggae Inevitable

Get in touch!This is part one of a two-part focus on Reggae music.The heart of Reggae music has always been politics and spirituality.  In this two part episode, you'll learn about some of the musical and political forces in Jamaica's colorful past that all contributed to the music that we celebrate as reggae today.   From Marcus Garvey, the modern-day prophet who  had a vision for the black people living in the new world, and Ethiopia's Emperor Hailie Salassie, whose formal title included "Lord of Lord, King of Kings, and Conquering Lion of Judah", and claimed to be a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Shebah, to great early reggae musicians like Derrick Morgan, and Desmond Dekker, to the firey Peter Tosh, and the brilliant reggae, who brought reggae to the rest of the world, Bob Marley - they're all here and you'll learn their stories, hear their music, and understand the major forces that fused to create a brand new genre.In this latest episode of American Song, you'll see how a tiny Spanish colony developed to become Jamaica as we know it today, and how Reggae was instrumental in helping Jamaican culture 'conquer the world'!In This EpisodePaul Simon - Mother and Child ReunionThe Flying Lizards - Money (That's What I Want)Bob Marley  - Redemption SongBob Marley and the Walers - 400 YearsBurning Spear - Slavery DaysSly Mongoose - Count LasherThe Folkes Brothers - Oh CarolinaToots and the Maytals - 54-46 Was My NumberMarcus Garvey (Political Speech)Derek Morgan -  Forward MarchErnest Ranglin - Below the BasslineDerrick Morgan - Tougher than Though (Rudie's in Court)Desmond Dekker - 007 ShantytownDesmond Dekker - IsraelitesStephen Marley (with Ziggy Marley) - Selassie is the ChapelPeter Tosh - Let Jah be PraisedCulture - BeholdSonjah Stanley - (Academic discussion)Third World - 96 Degrees in the ShadePeter Tosh - AfricanThe Skatalites - The Guns of NavarroneMutabaruka - (Jamaican Poet; Dis Poem)Bob Marley and the Wailers - No Woman, No CryPeter Tosh - Steppin' RazorBurning Spear - LionContinue the experience online:Visit the American Song Podcast facebook page.