Reggae

"Reggae" came to the fore in Jamaica in 1968 as a stage in a continuum of musical styles after the stable ska and rock. It was the first indigenous musical form in post-independence Jamaica. The previously distinct Jamaican music from the colonial era was known as mento, which evolved from the 19th century French set music called quadrille, which was popular among the English ruling class in Jamaica. Mento emerged as the "fifth figure" of quadrille and has an important connection to reggae, specifically the rhythmic pattern of banjo strumming in mento. The reintroduction of this rhythmic pattern helped to move rocksteady into a new identity as reggae. "Reggae" was originally spelled "reggay" when it appeared on records. Lead singer Toots Hibbert (of the Maytals) explained that the term reggay is an adaptation of "streggay", a derogatory reference to women. Drummer Leroy Horsemouth Wallace said the term was taken from the rhythm guitar style of musician Alvy Reggie Lewis.