Celebrating International Reggae Day With These Hits

July 1st marks International Reggae Day. Born in Jamaica in the late 1960s, this genre quickly transcended its Caribbean roots to influence artists and audiences worldwide.

From hip-hop to rock, pop to electronic music, reggae’s distinctive rhythms and socially conscious lyrics have left its mark on the musical landscape. While Bob Marley is often the first name associated with reggae, artists like Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, and Jimmy Cliff also played crucial roles in bringing reggae to the international stage. These pioneers, along with bands like Toots and the Maytals and Black Uhuru, used their platform to advocate for social justice and equality, while simultaneously introducing the world to Jamaican culture, fashion, and language.

Beyond music, reggae has shaped global fashion trends, visual arts, and even political movements. The genre’s emphasis on peace, love, and unity resonated with people fighting against oppression and inequality around the world. This message was carried forward by artists such as Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Culture, whose music continued to inspire and provoke thought. In more recent decades, artists like Sizzla, Buju Banton, Chronixx, and Marley’s offspring Damian, Ziggy, Stephen, and Kymani have helped keep reggae relevant, adapting the genre while maintaining its core values. And we can’t forget young artists like Kofee, Skip Marley and Alkaline, among so many others. Today, reggae’s influence can be heard in the music of contemporary artists across various genres, and its cultural impact continues to be felt in everything from film soundtracks to street art.

On this International Reggae Day, check out these classic chuuuunes: