Introduction to Reggae Music
This course traces the roots of Jamaican music, popularly known as Reggae, examining its cultural-historical influences from Africa and its diaspora, continuing a survey analysis from just prior to Jamaica’s Independence from Britain in 1962.
Dr. R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz - Instructor
Professor of Africana Studies
About this Course
Course Description
Course Goals and Outcomes
Instructor
Lesson Descriptions
Reading
Live Schedule
Critical Thinking: to be able to question information and to use reason to determine what to believe or what to do; Outcomes: Scholars will identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own and others’ work and create well-reasoned arguments.
Informational Literacy: to locate, evaluate, and incorporate relevant source materials into the creation of a thesis or informed point of view;
Outcomes: Scholars will access and utilize basic computer and internet functions, exhibiting appropriate and effective utilization of programs and functions; use basic research techniques, exhibiting appropriate, effective research skills; locate, evaluate, organize, and synthesize information from a variety of sources on a specific topic to support a thesis; and apply ethical and legal standards for use of source information, exhibiting the application of accepted ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published works.
Cultural Literacy: to engage with literary texts that reflect the diversity of the human experience in a variety of historical and cultural frameworks;
Outcome: Scholars exhibit a comprehension of social divisions such as gender, ethnicity, and racial formations in a pluralistic nation and world and the various influences that shape perspectives, values, and identities.
Humanities Competency: to comprehend the conventions and practices of Africana Studies;
Outcome: Scholars are able to analyze or interpret texts, ideas, discourse systems, and the human values they reflect.
Informational Literacy: to locate, evaluate, and incorporate relevant source materials into the creation of a thesis or informed point of view;
Outcomes: Scholars will access and utilize basic computer and internet functions, exhibiting appropriate and effective utilization of programs and functions; use basic research techniques, exhibiting appropriate, effective research skills; locate, evaluate, organize, and synthesize information from a variety of sources on a specific topic to support a thesis; and apply ethical and legal standards for use of source information, exhibiting the application of accepted ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published works.
Cultural Literacy: to engage with literary texts that reflect the diversity of the human experience in a variety of historical and cultural frameworks;
Outcome: Scholars exhibit a comprehension of social divisions such as gender, ethnicity, and racial formations in a pluralistic nation and world and the various influences that shape perspectives, values, and identities.
Humanities Competency: to comprehend the conventions and practices of Africana Studies;
Outcome: Scholars are able to analyze or interpret texts, ideas, discourse systems, and the human values they reflect.
R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz
Dr. R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz is Wordee author of the upcoming, Power from the Podium: The Story of Black Olympians, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, with Artworks by Kephera Ife; Dr. Shabazz is also professor of Africana Studies at Nassau Community College in Long Island, NY. Born and raised between the Bronx and Westchester, Bro. Ptah-Shabazz is of Jamaican maternal and African-American paternal heritage. He attended college on track scholarships received from Howard University and the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communications. He then attended graduate school at Temple University where he earned the Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in African American Studies. Dr. Shabazz has committed his life to researching and teaching on the often-forgotten contributions that Black/African people have made to human culture and progress; on such topics he has spoken internationally. His first book is Black to the Roots: Reggae Rise, Downpression and Reascension. For book orders and/or presentations, contact R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz at Blacktotheroots.net.
Lesson 1
Roots-Reggae music progressed to center Black people in our African heritage and worldview, as well as critique the imposed Western (Babylonian) imposed worldview. Our first session looks at Cultural Worldviews ("Social Structure vs. Self-Governance"), and their impact on perspectives of human origins, identity, and ultimate potential, contextualized by the reggae songs: "Dem a Wandaa" (Midnite) and "Made in Africa" (Stephen Marley). Our course's further analyses of the Western evilution of the commercial reggae market will demonstrate a shift in the lyrics from African-centered/Optimal/Self-Governance ideals to Western (European)/Sub-optimal/Social Structure/Shitciety ideals (see Myers).
Lesson 2
Read: Ptahsen-Shabazz, Black to the Roots (BR) (6-23; 64)
Part i. Reggae Genesis I/Revival, Quadrille, Mento, R&B, Jazz, Ska, Kumina, Burru, Rasta-Nyabinghi; (BR 19-23)
Part ii. Reggae Djeli/ “Reggae Djel,”; “Christopher Columbus…” (BR 6-9, 64); Reggae Video
Part iii. Reggae’s Pinnacle: Jamaica’s One Love Peace Concert (BR 9-18); Reggae Video
Part i. Reggae Genesis I/Revival, Quadrille, Mento, R&B, Jazz, Ska, Kumina, Burru, Rasta-Nyabinghi; (BR 19-23)
Part ii. Reggae Djeli/ “Reggae Djel,”; “Christopher Columbus…” (BR 6-9, 64); Reggae Video
Part iii. Reggae’s Pinnacle: Jamaica’s One Love Peace Concert (BR 9-18); Reggae Video
Lesson 3
RastafarI Blackground/ Read: Black to the Roots (40-85); Reggae-Rasta Video
Lesson 4
The Rise, Downpression and Reascension of Roots-Reggae/Read: Black to the Roots (87-206); PowerPoint presentation
- Friday, April 11, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – First Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Thursday, April 17, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Second Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Friday, May 2, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Third Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Fourth Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Thursday, April 17, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Second Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Friday, May 2, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Third Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Fourth Class (Zoom in Knarrative) - Join Live
This course traces the roots of Jamaican music, popularly known as Reggae, examining its cultural-historical influences from Africa and its diaspora, continuing a survey analysis from just prior to Jamaica’s Independence from Britain in 1962.
The music survey considers mento, the African American jazz influence in Ska, African American influences in Rock Steady, Rastafari influences in Roots-Reggae, Reggae, and the complexities of Dancehall tradition in the early turn of the millennium. From an African-centered methodology we will analyze the works of key performers, musicians, producers, as well as considering the key cultural and social-political events that helped shape the music. When possible, audio-video clips and other media will be used.
The music survey considers mento, the African American jazz influence in Ska, African American influences in Rock Steady, Rastafari influences in Roots-Reggae, Reggae, and the complexities of Dancehall tradition in the early turn of the millennium. From an African-centered methodology we will analyze the works of key performers, musicians, producers, as well as considering the key cultural and social-political events that helped shape the music. When possible, audio-video clips and other media will be used.
Required Text: Ptahsen-Shabazz, R.A. Black to the Roots: Reggae’s Rise, Downpression and Reascension.
Those Four Sounds Press, 2008.
To purchase Black to the Roots, use one of the following:
$20 with shipping/handling. Cashapp $Raptah7 (email mailing address to raptah@blacktotheroots.net).
$20 with shipping/handling. Cashapp $Raptah7 (email mailing address to raptah@blacktotheroots.net).
$20 with shipping/handling. Zelle: raptah@blacktotheroots.net (email your mailing address to raptah@blacktotheroots.net).
Order by email:
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Wholesale inquiry contact by email.
Order by mail:
Send $15.00 + $5.00 shipping & handling per book.
Make check or money order payable to:
RA PTAH, Inc.
PO Box 736
Recommended:
Alleyne, Mervyn. Roots of Jamaican Culture. Pluto Press, 1995.
Chevannes, Barry. Rastafari: Roots and Ideology. Syracuse University Press, 1994.
Davis, Stephen. Bob Marley: Revised Edition. Panther Books, 1990.
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