When you think of Jamaica you get the picture of clear blue cloudless skies, indigo blue water or quite simply a vision of absolute paradise. A place we all dream of taking a vacation to one day. The people are like no others in the world and the nightlife makes the streets of Manhattan look like a small town in North Carolina. You can literally feel the pulse of the island in every step you take and then the music hits you. The music.

The songs of the legendary Bob Marley, international star Jah Cure and Cham blare from small boom boxes held by the locals as the heart of reggae beats like the heart of a mouse. You are in Jamaica, the Reggae Capitol. A decent of African Caribbean style music and closely linked to the religion of Rastafarianism, reggae music was born and developed on the island of Jamaica.

Jamaica is reggae music’s capitol because reggae music is how many Jamaican’s choose to define themselves. Reggae gave poor people something to call their own as well as using it as a weapon against political corruption and civil disorder. Despite those facts, reggae music is actually a spiritual type of music whose lyrics is mainly in praise of God, or Jah as Jamaican’s call him. The lyrics contain themes of poverty and resistance to government oppression, which is no stranger to the island for it, was a commonplace for slave revolts in which plantation owner’s often feared for their lives.

In 1970 Jamaican native Bob Marley, who through reggae music established a dominant presence in the promotion of marijuana, globally popularized reggae music. Bob Marley sparked controversy on the cover of his Catch A Fire album that pictured him smoking a spliff. Reggae artist Peter Tosh was known for performing his most famous song, “Legalize It” on stage with a spliff in his hand.

By the late 1960’s, Jamaica was pumping out uplifting; controversial music that was gaining global popularity to the extent it was receiving radio play in the UK. Reggae music took the world by storm just as fast as hip-hop did in the late 1970’s. With a solid foundation and acceptance by its natives, reggae music was able to transform local poor people into international starts, icons and political voices through the world. Various styles could be created as well such as, Saka, Reggaeton (Latin Reggae) and the widely popular Dancehall.

Reggae music is the heart of Jamaica and is one of Jamaica’s biggest gifts to the world, especially with the Reggae Sun splash Festival that began in 1970. Reggae Sun splash is a reggeaful weekend of rhythm where musicians, singers and people all over the world congregate in Northern Jamaica to celebrate reggae rhythm. Over the years A list artist have grace the festival with their music: Elephant Man, Diana King, Morgan Heritage and Wyclef Jean.

In turbulent, poverty stricken times, the spirit of Jamaica’s native people produced a sound and a musical culture of it’s own from nothing. It is a sound unlike any other in the world so pure, honest and bold that it swept the slave island and the globe like wild fire. It gave the people of Jamaica a voice that was once silenced, an insight on the island’s political hardships and an idea of how beautiful Jamaica and Jamaican’s are.

The Capital of Reggae is a breeding ground for inspiration and success. It accompanies the beautiful sights shown on television and has attracted marijuana smokers from across the seas. It has influence the biggest musical culture in the U.S. (hip-hop) as well as generating new sounds for Latin music as well. Jamaica is the capitol of reggae music because reggae music is in the air and in the eyes of the people. It’s head in the streets, in the villages and has spread internationally. It’s often duplicated but no one does it better than the people of Jamaica. No non-Jamaican artist can make it sound better and no woman is more beautiful dancing to it besides the Jamaican woman. Reggae music is in Jamaica and Jamaica is reggae music.