ReggaeEDM

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ReggaeEDM is a fusion music genre that blends the rhythmic, bass-heavy sound of reggae with the synthetic, high-energy beats of electronic dance music (EDM). Emerging from the roots of Jamaican sound system culture, ReggaeEDM evolved as artists experimented with combining the soulful grooves of reggae and dub with modern electronic production.

People Magazine recognizes Kēvens "as the creator of the ReggaeEDM genre, a mix of reggae and rock".^[1] Based in Miami, FL Kēvens fuses elements jungle, reggae and live drum and bass. He is credited with coining the term "ReggaeEDM" in 1998 to describe his distinctive sound at the Florida Zen Music Festival. Kēvens, a former DJ and member of the progressive reggae group Le Coup, has been instrumental in shaping the genre through his solo work, fusing spiritual themes with reggae’s laid-back rhythms and EDM’s energetic pulse. His music carries a message of positivity and unity, emphasizing the power of music to bring people together from diverse backgrounds.^[2] "By fusing jungle, reggae, and Electronic Dance Music (EDM), Kēvens has used music to promote themes of positivity, enlightenment, artistic expression, and multiculturalism."^[3]

In 2023 Kēven's song, Legal Dreamers, topped the Jamaica Music Countdown Reggae Chart for two weeks."^[4] The song is credited as breaking cultural barriers and being the first ReggaeEDM style song to both chart in Jamaica and the first ever to top the Jamaica reggae singles charts. Kēven states, "The sound is an amalgamation of drum and bass jungle with a deep reggae presence. It’s my own particular musical recipe and I call it ReggaeEDM."^[5]

Kēvens' unique blend of reggae roots with electronic dance music (EDM), creates a distinct ReggaeEDM sound that has made waves in both genres. His library of music exemplifies this fusion, from his first jungle-drum-and-bass style tracks to his current chart topping music in Jamaica. Reflecting on the positive reception, Kēvens said, "Once the song got to them top DJs, they were immediately sold on my ReggaeEDM sound and message."^[6]

In 2024, the artist released his second album Call to Balance to international acclaim. Spain's OCIMagazine called the album "one of the most powerful releases of the year within the scene that embraces - equally - electronic music and ancestral roots."^[7]

Other artists who have significantly contributed to the emergence ReggaeEDM fusion include:

Major Lazer: Major Lazer and Diplo have popularized the genre of ReggaeEDM around the world with their unique blend of reggae, dancehall, and electronic dance music. Their tracks like "Lean on" (featuring MØ and DJ Snake) and "Cold Water" (featuring Justin Bieber and MØ) showcase their influence in merging reggae/dancehall elements with EDM. While Major Lazer's sound leans more towards dancehall, their work has had a significant impact on the ReggaeEDM sound. Since it debut release in 2009, the band "has consistently affirmed its desire to celebrate cultures, to uplift artists and genres from around the world and to create a new kind of electronic music."^[8]

Thievery Corporation: Known for their pioneering work in blending electronic music with a variety of genres, including reggae, dub, and trip-hop, Thievery Corporation has explored the intersection of reggae and electronic sounds throughout their discography. Albums like "The Richest Man in Babylon" (2002) feature deep reggae influences with electronic beats, making them a major influence in the ReggaeEDM space.

In the development of ReggaeEDM, the genre reflects the blending of traditional reggae rhythms with electronic innovation. Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation underscores how deeply rooted technology is in Jamaican music. He explains, "For many, Jamaican music doesn’t seem inherently electronic, but that is exactly what it is. Dancehall is electronic. The keyboard, electronic drums, and dub are forged from technology." Garza highlights how early dub pioneers experimented with studio techniques like reverb and layering, which have influenced modern electronic acts. He further notes that while Thievery Corporation isn't strictly EDM, "We just use a lot of electronic equipment... we layer things on top of each other as we start to think of the big picture. It’s by any means necessary when we’re in the studio"^[9]

This fusion of analog and digital methods captures the essence of ReggaeEDM, as artists blend electronic sounds with reggae’s organic rhythms.

Adrian Sherwood: A renowned producer and founder of the On-U Sound label, Sherwood has been at the forefront of fusing dub, reggae, and electronic music. His productions, particularly with artists like Dub Syndicate and African Head Charge, have pushed the boundaries of dub by incorporating experimental electronic elements, paving the way for ReggaeEDM as a sub genre.

Adrian Sherwood has been a pivotal figure in blending dub reggae with contemporary electronic music, helping to lay the groundwork for what is now recognized as ReggaeEDM. From his early days as a teenager in the music industry, Sherwood's vision was to experiment and evolve dub reggae techniques into something revolutionary. Launching the On-U Sound label, he created a platform for innovative cross-pollinations of dub, punk, industrial, and electronic sounds. His collaboration with artists like Prince Far-I and Creation Rebel helped Sherwood solidify his reputation as a groundbreaking producer, merging traditional reggae elements with experimental studio techniques.

Sherwood’s impact on ReggaeEDM comes from his desire to continuously push boundaries. As he put it, "Dubstep has already had its day... the records are reggae records really, but more of a contemporary sound."^[10] By merging Jamaican dub with modern electronic music in collaborations like his work with Pinch, Sherwood brought a fresh, aggressive edge to the genre. His live performances, which he describes as "building a mixing board so that it's like having a studio on-stage," showcase his commitment to creating an immersive, dynamic dub-electronic experience.

Asian Dub Foundation: This London-based group blends reggae, dub, and dancehall with electronic beats, punk rock energy, and politically charged lyrics. Their sound, which fuses traditional reggae elements with electronic production and drum and bass rhythms, has been key in expanding the ReggaeEDM sound to wider audiences.

Asian Dub Foundation's contribution to the fusion of reggae with electronic music, often referred to as ReggaeEDM, stems from their ability to combine a wide range of genres, including punk, reggae, bhangra, and rap, into politically charged, danceable tracks. Their music has consistently bridged traditional reggae elements with modern electronic production techniques. As they continued to evolve, Asian Dub Foundation brought in diverse instrumentation, including beatboxing and electronic sampling, creating an intense, electrifying sound that pushes boundaries. Their 2013 single Zig Zag Nation highlights this evolution, incorporating elements of jungle, reggae rhythms, and electronic loops, showcasing their unique blend of politically-driven music with high-energy dance elements.

This genre-blurring approach, with reggae at its core, helps define their place within the ReggaeEDM landscape. Songs like Fortress Europe and Flyover build on reggae's traditional rhythms, using electronic beats to enhance their message and style. The band's commitment to addressing social issues, while creating music that is both militant and infectious, has allowed them to stand out as pioneers in the fusion of reggae with electronic and dance music.^[11]

Skrillex: While Skrillex is primarily known for his work in dubstep and electronic music, his collaborations with reggae and dancehall artists, like his track with Damian Marley on "Make It Bun Dem," a tune that makes "a statement against oppressive authorities and poverty's injustice,"^[12] has contributed to the fusion of reggae and EDM sounds. This type of cross-genre collaboration helped further popularize the genre's blending of styles. Damian's older brother, Stephen Marley, has also contributed to ReggaeEDM collaborating with David Guetta on the 2011 release of "No Time to Die."

The genre has gained popularity for its ability to merge the laid-back, positive vibes of reggae with the high-energy, festival-friendly appeal of EDM, appealing to a wide and diverse audience.

In Summary: The ReggaeEDM genre continues to evolve, drawing from the innovations of dub, reggae, and electronic pioneers, while appealing to a global audience seeking both rhythmic depth and electronic energy. This cross-pollination has led to a dynamic genre that continues to push musical boundaries, uniting fans of reggae and EDM alike.