The pull of dancehall and reggae music
The pull of dancehall and reggae music
The London Film Festival, one of the most important film festivals in the world, was held last week. One of the highlights was a film called Made in Jamaica, which showcases the best of reggae and dancehall music. It also attempts to explain how reggae became a worldwide phenomenon.
The film begins with the death of dancehall artiste Gerald “Bogle” Levy. We see footage of him performing. We then hear of his death from a Jamaican newscast. The film shows government ministers, community leaders and musicians attending his funeral. And a eulogist intones, “We are a great people and we will be great again. Our music is what puts Jamaica on the map. It will not come from killing each other.”