As you all can guess from the title, this diary will be about music. However, I feel that reggae should get some highlight here at Daily Kos. I have been a lover of reggae since November 2004 and it was all due to the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas video game. For those of you who have played, you know that when you drive a car you can listen to the radio. Here is where the K-Jah radio station of San Andreas introduce me full force to reggae music. However, this diary will specifically look at how reggae music is excellent
protest music against the establishment. Hence, I will provide a little history of reggae.
Reggae is a successor to the rhythems of ska and rock steady. Reggae is characterized by the fact the bass guitar does extensive bass line while the guitar
(reggae guitar) and drums constantly keep the beat. The name reggae is said to be have been coined by
Toots and the Maytals in the middle 1960's with their song
"Do the Reggae". Indeed, this group is responsible for founding reggae and bringing to the mainstream in Jaimaica.
In a nutshell, reggae appeals to the struggles of the common man. Through out most of the songs, people are said to rise from their oppression and start fighting back. At other times, reggae flirts with defying those in power and points out their corruption and hyprocrisy. I also want to mention that religion is prominent in reggae. This of course is a given since most reggae most tend to be Rastafarians. A few artists come to mind when rebellion is the issue. They are: Max Romeo, Willie Williams, Peter Tosh. I know I am neglecting Bob Marley, but since I do not know any of his lyrics he will not be discussed. However, his influcence to reggae is notable and important.
Max Romeo in a few of his songs protests the establishment. Bald Headed Teached critizes a teacher in a classroom for being a fake, fool, and a bald headed. What Romeo is saying here is that we are thought to confirm to authority from a young age in school. This of course is true since according to Karl Marx there is a hidden curriculum in schools in order to keep social order in place. A Lie Them a Tell speaks out against how the media will cover certain stories or will report what is only convenient to them and those in power.
Max Romeo is known for his religious lyrics in his songs. Chase the Devil talks about running the devil out of the earth in order to get rid of evil completely. 2,000 Years ago makes connection between the Israelites being captive and how Jamaicans are oppressed in their country. Bablyon is a common word in Romeo's music because he sees his people's plight as that of Israel's Babylonian Captivity.
Willie Williams is known as the "Armadedion Man" in Jamaica. The title is fitting for his most famous song, Armagedion Time, talks of how people will not get supper or justice tonight and instead will suffer. Yet, even after all this pessimism, Willie says to praise Jah(God) and he will guide you in armagedion.
You can rebel agaist the establishment by either not conforming to authority (Max Romeo) or asking people to fight against suffereing (Willie Williams). Still there is another route to take in protest of the establishement. Peter Tosh offers the most explicit example with his song Legalize It.
This song bascially makes the case for legalizing the use of ganja (weed). He mentions that musicians, doctors, lawyers, and judges smoke it. Tosh also says that it is good for Tuberculosis and the flu. He mentions that birds, fowls, ants love it. Lastly, he does not forget that cooks love to bake with it. What better way to protest the establishment by calling for legalization of a drug and sticking it to them?
Why have I diaried this? Simple we are going through times of oppression and we need an outlet in order to express our frustation and anger against the establishment. In the 1960's, The Beatles had a few protest songs like the Taxman, Come Together and Give Peace a Chance, . As history has shown us, the Beatles influenced the sixties through music. Reggae too has influenced people Jamaica through the 1960's and 70's and I believe it can still influence us to speak out. I recommend this music for those Kossacks interested in listening to a message of protest.
Lastly, I would like you all to get the word out to Bernie Sanders, congressman of Vermont to adopt a reggae song as his campaign song. The song is called Socialism is Love. The reason is that Bernie describes himself as an economic socialist. This song makes the case that socialism is caring for your brothers, sharing with yours sisters, linking hearts and minds, and love and togetherness.
Please let me know what you all think. This is my second diary; feedback is welcomed. Now, go listen to some reggae!