Have you ever heard of the term “Music Junkie”? The kind of person that’s unable to go a day without music? The kind of person that eats, sleeps, breathes and lives music? Well that person is me and the genre that I find most relatable or that which I interact with the most is Reggae music.
This particular type of genre uses a heavy four beat rhythm which are often created from drums line-up, electric guitars and amplified bass guitars, which is what makes Reggae music so dynamic. Reggae music comprises of a certain vocal style, instrumentals, harmony, tempo and rhythmic content; all working together to convey conscious messages regarding everyday life experiences, challenges, love, passion, as well as political, sociological and economical injustices.
Additionally, the sound, meter, tempo and lyrics that this genre possess, one would say that it invokes a certain type of emotion or feeling within them. It could be as simple as just listening to the conscious message that is being conveyed and finding it relatable, to being invigorated to the point where you can’t help but to move your feet and dance like there is no tomorrow.
My reason for choosing this genre is a result of the cultural awareness it brings about through the use of the Jamaican native language, patois and its dialect. I can relate to it because artists or entertainers of Reggae music uses this language to expresses their struggles, challenges and growth by uplifting, empowering and enriching the youths as well as the adults of our generation.
As it relates to the passage that was given “Mother tongue” by Amy Tan, the genre that was used is language. Her focus was mainly the English Language, its variations and the effects her mother’s native language had on her growing up as well as others.
