The idea of a streaming service dedicated to Reggae and its rhythmic variants and sub genres is timely and, perhaps, long overdue. This unique rhythm format evolved out of the newly independent Jamaica’s insistence on creating a musical expression that would naturally represent the pulse, cultural texture, pride and world view of Jamaicans.

But what is it that has made Reggae a global phenomenon and such an integral part of world music, where variants of the genre are woven into the musical cultures far removed from its Jamaican origin? The answer is that Reggae provided an urgently needed voice to the global counterculture which was struggling for a medium through which to articulate the plight of masses of ordinary folks against political and other forms of oppression. These were major issues for the freedom movements in the 1960s and 1970s onwards. In UNESCO’s words:

“Reggae music’s functions as a vehicle of social commentary, as a cathartic experience, and means of praising God remain unchanged, and the music continues to provide a voice for all.”

And it wasn’t just about music. Knitted into the fabric of Reggae was (and is, to the present day) the religious and cultural belief structure of Rastafari, an Afro-centric socio-religious movement that developed in Jamaica in about the 1930s and is now global, just like Reggae.