All contemporary music can be traced back to cultures that came before. Most music eventually turns into an amalgamation of styles as cultures borrow best practices from each other and then put add their own flair. Such is the case with the current style of music known as Reggae, particularly that found in Jamaica and Brazil. Although contemporary artists have added their personal touches to the genre, its roots can be traced back to the forced migration of millions of slaves during the early 17th century. As these slaves settled in Latin America and the surrounding areas, they brought their African music with them. Eventually, traits of this music was adopted by local musicians and integrated into their music. Although there are distinct differences between the music found in Jamaica and Brazil, the similarities between the two cultures is pronounced.
A culture’s music can be viewed as a definition of their identity. Much more than just musical attributes finds its way into the musical expression of a society. Religious beliefs, psychological phenomena, societal expectations and mores – these all factor into the artistic expression of a specific culture or region. This is definitely that case with both Jamaica and Brazil, as the music in each country …show more content…
Millions of slaves were transported to the two countries, resulting in an influx of African culture. Both Jamaica and Brazil embraced this culture and integrated it into all aspects of music. The identifiable drumming found in both countries’ music is a direct descendant of African tribal music. Furthermore, many of the dances found in Jamaica and Brazil can also be traced back to Africa. Although there are slight differences between the two countries in terms of musical attributes, the similarities are striking. The music of both countries would not be what it is today without the influence of