If you already didn't know Reggae music was Jamaica’s first popular song genre and developed in the 1960s around the time the island was granted independence. Jamaican reggae music grew out of American soul and R&B, combined with West African “riddims” and European melody and harmony. Ignited by ska music, an up-tempo style originating in dance halls, reggae music has the unmistakable imprint of Rastafarian religious beliefs, and highly political themes. But reggae artists know that reggae songs are all about that unmistakable rhythm, led by a relentless electric bass and drums. And true Jamaican music is all about Bob Marley and his group, the Wailers. They took the best of American soul melodicism, injected it with Rasta, ganja & “songs of freedom,” tweaked the rock steady beat, and never looked back.