A Brief Glossary of Reggae Terms

Dancehall: Most modern reggae (since 1980), emphasizing stronger beats and more toasting (i.e., rapping) than older roots styles. Dancehall is to roots reggae as hip-hop is to soul and funk.

Dub: A sub-genre of reggae that features instrumental remixes of songs, often layered with sound effects. Started as a method for saving money by creating entirely new-sounding tracks out of old music.

Rastafarianism: A Jamaican religion based on a combination of biblical texts and the writings and teachings of Marcus Garvey, an early 20th-century Jamaican philosopher.

Sound system: Originally a traveling party that would set up speakers in the back of a truck and provide dances for the locals. Due to competition, each sound system developed particular styles and personalities. This competition often comes to a head in a Clash, which pits two rival sound systems against each other; the audience determines the winner.

-LO