The impact of reggae on the world has been massive and the music form has been adopted and performed successfully to world acclaim by others not from Jamaica such as UK acts Steel Pulse, Aswad and UB40 and African artistes like Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dube. Jamaica also invented another music form called DanceHall also called Ragga. Dancehall artistes in some ways have been more commercially successful in the western world but which one of them can be viewed as a legend? Dancehall has several proponents including Binnie Man, Sean Paul, Bounty Killer and the original architect of ragga Shaba Ranks.

What is the difference between dance hall and reggae?

via Reggae versus Dancehall.

More than 30 years after he sat in on his first recording session with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Ziggy Marley hasn’t lost his drive to succeed.The eldest son of reggae icon Bob Marley continues to forge ahead, touring and recording in hopes that his music will inspire audiences.

“I let it unfold naturally,” Marley, 44, said over the phone this week during a tour stop in Calgary. “But part of me wishes I could find a place, a true place, in the world where the influence of it is seen in a practical way. We sing about peace, and I wish I could sing peace and love and there would be peace and love in this world. We still have a lot of work to do.”

via Ziggy Marley: Music with a message.

Music flows through the veins of the Jamaican people and their love for reggae and jazz is instilled almost from birth. Live music is a popular feature at many of the venues across the island and tourists who want to enjoy authentic Jamaican jamming won’t be disappointed.

After spending all day exploring the island, eating rice, peas and goat curry, or relaxing on the beach there’s no better way to end off the day than dancing the night away. Traditional Jamaican dancing can be particularly raunchy and relies heavily on grinding or fierce dance moves, so watching and enjoying the music without joining in is totally acceptable. Classic jazz is also a favourite in Jamaica, so for a more toned down live music experience look for venues that offer these soulful sounds.

Some of the best live music venues in Jamaica are:

Reggae Entertainment Complex

This complex is located in Negrill on the land side of the Cliffs road within 1.5kms of Downtown. The concerts held here are legendary, with the biggest acts performing at MXIII and Hotel Samsara. During peak season there are live performances every night, featuring Jazz legends, local reggae talent, impromptu jams and folk music shows.

Jack Ruby Bar and Grill

This Ocho Rios bar and nightclub features live bands and traditional Jamaican- style backyard parties in its courtyard. Situated about 50 kms east of Montego Bay, Ocho Rio is a resort town that caters for cruise ships, so when the port is full the parties go on all night. Jack Ruby Bar and Grill is located in James Street which has also been nicknamed Reggae Strip thanks to its multiple bars and nightclubs.

Little Pub

The Little Pub is also located in Ochos Rios and is a tourist favourite. A resident band plays 6 nights a week and the entertainment line up changes regularly. A karaoke night, weekly cabaret and Afro-Caribbean musical make up some of the great entertainment on offer.

Alfred’s Ocean Palace

Located in Negrill in the heart of the famous 7 mile beach is Alfred’s Ocean Palace. This Negril institution is one of the oldest beach bars and regularly showcases some of Jamaica’s best rock, reggae and roots performers. The open air beach stage is an especially attractive feature and visitors dance the night away under the stars.

One of the most popular dancehall artists of his time — Shabba Ranks — is to make his return to the Bermuda stage and will be accompanied by the ‘Queen of Soca’ Alison Hinds.

Two-time Grammy-Award winning Shabba is known for hits such as Mr Loverman, Respect and Ting A Ling.

Formerly with the band Square One, Alison Hinds is one of the most popular soca singers in the world. She is known for songs such as Roll It Gal which was a huge hit throughout the Caribbean and was released in the UK in 2007, and Faluma.

via Exclusive Organizers ecstatic at landing Shabba Ranks.

Street dancing has long been an informal profession taken on by inner-city youth. Using the dancehall stage as their training and promotional ground as well as performance platform, several dancers have managed to cement themselves as international celebrities in their own right.

However, videos from street dances which brought many dancers to fame, are back to haunt them, this, as foreigners have now begun to capture dancehall choreography, rebrand and redistribute them as theirs.

Since 2011, several Europe-based dance videos have been uploaded on social networks, displaying foreign dancers using Jamaican dance moves on tours and hosting dance workshops. Interestingly, the originators of the various dances are not credited, nor is the dance move regarded as dancehall.

via Dancers want to copyright their moves .

Seminal reggae act The Melodians will headline the second-annual Punky Reggae Party benefit show Friday, April 19, at Tricky Falls.

The night, a benefit for several local nonprofits, will also feature Radio La Chusma, Mexklan, Steady Shakedown and DJ System A.

“The message of reggae is love, support, struggle and fight for the people,” said Charles Villanueva, drummer of Radio La Chusma and founder of A Taller Earth Productions, the promotional team behind the event.

via Melodians to play ‘punky reggae’ benefit show.

A Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is coming to Yuma to prove he is much more than just another reggae performer caught in his father’s long shadow.

Ky-Mani Marley, son of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley, will highlight music from his many studio albums released over the years. He will perform Saturday at Cocopah Casino.

Despite his name, Ky-Mani doesn’t only perform reggae, but also dancehall and hip-hop music.

via Ky-Mani Marley, son of reggae legend, forging own musical path.

The song which features fire-brand Rastafarian deejay Turbulence is currently sitting in the number-one spot of the Black Music Reggae charts, which is compiled weekly by Argentinian radio DJ Jah Wisdom Outer National on MIX 90.3 FM in the South American nation’s capital, Buenos Aires.

“The success of Unite & Be Strong is just awesome, I’m happy to see that this song is doing so well Argentina. Right now, it’s a favourite of many of my fans worldwide. I’m very thankful to Jah and my fans for this," said Khalilah.

via Khalilah Rose blowing up FM radio in Argentina.

The Rockhouse, West End, Negril

If you’re after the cliff-edge drama of the West End, but don’t fancy slumming it, the Rockhouse is probably for you. Some of the West End’s most upmarket hotels are so antiseptic and uptight you’d hardly know you were in Jamaica, but the Rockhouse has managed to combine modern boutique comforts – a world-class spa, crisp bed linen, fabulous food – with the laid-back hedonism of the old Negril.

via Jamaica’s best beach hotels and accommodation on a budget .

Woman power fuels Jamaican music.