Ragga

Ragga is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the mid-1980s. It is a subgenre of dancehall, which is a genre of Jamaican popular music characterized by a heavy bassline and fast-paced rhythms. Ragga, also known as ragamuffin or simply ragga, is similar to dancehall musically but has a distinct vocal style and focuses more on the use of digital technology in production. The roots of ragga can be traced back to the early days of Jamaican dancehall music in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At that time, artists like Yellowman and Eek-a-Mouse were popularizing a style of singing and toasting (a form of Jamaican rap) that relied heavily on humor, wit, and clever wordplay. These artists were also known for their use of unconventional rhythms and experimental music production techniques. As time went on, dancehall music continued to evolve, becoming increasingly electronic and digital. In the mid-1980s, a new style of dancehall emerged that featured even more electronic instrumentation, faster tempos, and a harder-edged sound. This new style came to be known as ragga, and it quickly gained popularity in Jamaica and around the world. One of the key figures in the development of ragga was producer King Jammy, who was responsible for some of the genre's earliest and most iconic hits. Jammy was known for his pioneering use of electronic drum machines, synthesizers, and other digital equipment, which gave his productions a futuristic and cutting-edge sound. Some of his most famous ragga tracks include "Under Me Sleng Teng" by Wayne Smith, "Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths, and "Punany" by Admiral Bailey. Other influential ragga producers and artists of the era included Steely & Clevie, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, and Cutty Ranks. These artists helped to popularize ragga both in Jamaica and abroad, and their music laid the groundwork for the more mainstream success of dancehall and reggae music in the 1990s and beyond. Throughout the 1990s, ragga continued to evolve and gain popularity. In the UK, where ragga was especially popular, a new subgenre called jungle emerged that fused ragga vocals with breakbeats and electronic music production. Jungle quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning its own fashion, dance, and lifestyle trends.

Shabba Ranks: Shabba Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga artist. He rose to fame in the late 80s with hits like "Mr. Loverman" and "Twice My Age" featuring Krystal. He has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album and continued to release music into the 90s, collaborating with artists like Maxi Priest and KRS-One. Buju Banton: Buju Banton is another popular Jamaican ragga and dancehall artist. He is known for his deep, gravelly voice and his socially conscious lyrics. He has released numerous albums throughout his career, including his critically acclaimed 1995 album "Til Shiloh", which consolidated his status as one of the greatest ragga artists of all time. Beenie Man: Beenie Man is a Jamaican ragga and dancehall artist who has been active since the 1980s. He has released numerous albums and hit singles throughout his long career, including the iconic "Who Am I (Sim Simma)" in 1998. He has won several awards for his music, including a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2000. Barrington Levy: Barrington Levy is a Jamaican reggae and ragga artist who has been active since the 1970s. He is known for his powerful voice and uplifting lyrics, and has released numerous albums and hit singles throughout his career. He has collaborated with many other artists in the industry, including Shaggy and Bounty Killer. Yellowman: Yellowman is a Jamaican ragga and dancehall artist who rose to fame in the 1980s. He is known for his distinctive voice and his humorous and often sexually explicit lyrics. He has released numerous albums throughout his career, including his 1983 album "Mister Yellowman", which remains a classic of the genre. Mad Cobra: Mad Cobra is a Jamaican ragga and dancehall artist who was popular in the 90s. He is known for his rapid-fire delivery and his socially conscious lyrics. He released several hit singles during his career, including "Flex" and "Tek Him", as well as collaborating with artists like Shabba Ranks. Super Cat: Super Cat is a Jamaican ragga and dancehall artist who was popular in the 80s and 90s. He is known for his fast-paced style and his socially conscious lyrics, as well as his collaborations with other artists in the genre, such as Nicodemus and Junior Cat. He has released numerous albums throughout his career, including his 1992 album "Don Dada". Bounty Killer: Bounty Killer is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga artist who rose to fame in the 1990s. He is known for his aggressive style and his political and social commentary. He has collaborated with many other artists in the industry, including Beenie Man and Wayne Marshall, and has won several awards for his music. Elephant Man: Elephant Man is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga artist who rose to fame in the 2000s. He is known for his energetic performances and his use of different voices and sounds in his music. He has released numerous albums and hit singles throughout his career, including "Pon de River, Pon de Bank" and "All Out". Vybz Kartel: Vybz Kartel is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga artist who has been active since the 1990s. He is known for his controversial lyrics and his explicit content. He has released numerous albums and hit singles throughout his career, including "Clarks" and "Summertime". He has won several awards for his music, and remains one of the most popular and influential artists in the genre today.

1. "Hot Rod Race" by Arkie Shibley 2. "Hot Rod Lincoln" by Charlie Ryan 3. "Little Deuce Coupe" by The Beach Boys 4. "G.T.O." by Ronny & The Daytonas 5. "409" by The Beach Boys 6. "The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)" by Jan and Dean 7. "Drag City" by Jan and Dean 8. "Hey Little Cobra" by The Rip Chords 9. "Beep Beep" by The Playmates 10. "Racing Cars" by Billy Vaughn 11. "Road Runner" by Bo Diddley 12. "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean 13. "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats 14. "Hot Rod Rockin'" by Johnny "Guitar" Watson 15. "Little Honda" by The Hondells 16. "Red Hot Roadster" by Wild Bill Davis 17. "Little Red Corvette" by Prince 18. "Hey Bulldog" by The Beatles 19. "Blues For The Hot Rod" by Boots Brown 20. "Rockin' Stockin's" by Booker T & the M.G.'s 21. "Hot Rod" by The Berry Kids 22. "Stick Shift" by The Duals 23. "Rockin' Little Angel" by Ray Smith 24. "Car Crazy Cutie" by The Beach Boys 25. "Hot Rodder's Dream" by Ray Burden.

Several books have been written on the subject of ragga. One such book is "Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture" by Beth Lesser. In it, Lesser chronicles the emergence of dancehall music and its impact on Jamaican society. She notes that ragga music was initially seen as a form of rebellion against the strict social hierarchies and racial inequality present in Jamaica at the time. Another influential book on the subject is "Global Reggae" by Carolyn Cooper. In this book, Cooper explores the global appeal of reggae music and how it has been adapted and transformed in different cultures around the world. She notes that ragga has been particularly influential in the United Kingdom, where it has been embraced by youth culture and played an important role in the development of British hip hop. Notable quotes have also been made about ragga music. One such quote is from the late Jamaican singer Bob Marley, who said, "Reggae music is the people's music, and ragga is just a natural evolution of that." Dancehall artist Beenie Man has also spoken about the significance of ragga music. In an interview with Billboard, he said, "I think dancehall is one of the most powerful forms of music in the world. It's our way of communicating, telling our story, and sharing our culture with the world." However, ragga music has also faced criticism for its often explicit lyrics and depictions of violence and sexism. In his book "The Global Cipha," scholar and musician Bilal Sunni-Ali writes about the controversy surrounding the lyrics of ragga music. He notes that while some argue that the lyrics are a reflection of the harsh realities of Jamaican society, others see them as perpetuating negative stereotypes and glorifying violent behavior.

The rise of ragga music was a response to these conditions. It represented a shift in reggae music, which had traditionally been more focused on social and political commentary. Ragga music, on the other hand, was more focused on dance and partying. The cultural context of ragga music was heavily influenced by Jamaican dancehall culture. Dancehall music was popular in Jamaica during the 1980s and was characterized by its use of electronic instrumentation and the focus on the dancefloor. Ragga music drew heavily from dancehall culture, incorporating electronic beats and focusing on creating music that would be perfect for dancing. One of the most notable figures in the development of ragga music was Shabba Ranks. Shabba Ranks was a Jamaican dancehall artist who became one of the most successful ragga artists of all time. He burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s and quickly gained a reputation for his aggressive, sexually explicit lyrics and his energetic live performances. In the early 1990s, ragga music began to spread beyond Jamaica and became popular in the UK. This was partly due to the large number of Jamaican immigrants living in the UK and the popularity of sound systems and DJ culture. Ragga music became a key part of the underground club scene in the UK and helped to influence the development of British electronic dance music. During this time, several notable record labels emerged in the UK that specialized in ragga music. These included Greensleeves Records, which had been founded in Jamaica in the 1970s but had since moved to the UK. Greensleeves Records became one of the preeminent labels for ragga music, releasing albums from artists like Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Yellowman. Another notable figure in the ragga scene during this time was Don Letts. Letts was a journalist and filmmaker who had been influential in the punk scene in the UK during the late 1970s. He later became involved in the reggae scene and was a key figure in the development of ragga music in the UK. Letts helped to bring attention to the scene through his radio programs and documentaries. In the 2000s, the popularity of ragga music began to wane, and the genre began to be replaced by newer forms of dance music. However, ragga music has had a lasting impact on the development of electronic dance music and continues to be an important part of Jamaican music culture.