Reggae

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//Reggae in Asian-America is a relatively unexplored area of study yet there are countless artists of Asian decent who have been successful in the USA as well as internationally. Byron Lee, Apache Indian and other Asian-American bands have succeeded in the reggae genre and there is a definitely Asian presence in Jamaica as well as other Caribbean communities around the world. Many attribute the ultimate success and widespread appeal of reggae music to the Asian presence during the early 70s, when the reggae genre was receiving attention from mainstream audiences. Pioneers like Byron Lee, Leslie Kong and Thomas Wong can be credited for the early success of dancehall, reggae, soca and other Caribbean-inspired musical genres.//

Reggae is a recognizable genre for its use of a defining [|“skank” beat], its raw, unedited sound in addition to its highly political messages. Having evolved out of the Rastafarian religion, reggae has come to be associated with Afro-Caribbean artists and the presence of other ethnicities within reggae is often overlooked. While reggae is undoubtedly a product of the Caribbean, infusing Asian elements (sounds, lyrics) into the music, thereby, creating a fusion of styles, has become increasingly popular. Recent artists such as Apache Indian have successfully managed to incorporate Asian themes into reggae music in order to give Asian artists a voice and presence in the reggae genre. Songs such as “Arranged Marriage” address Asian cultural practices which help promote awareness of South Asian traditions.

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The Asian presence in reggae music is not actually as novel as many people believe. While the popularity of Asian reggae artists has increased over the years, the early involvement of Asians in this musical genre dates back to the very beginning of reggae’s popularization in the early 1950s. “VP records” is an internationally acclaimed record label and can be tied directly to the success of Sean Paul, Machel Mantano among many others. While this label is renowned for launching the careers of many reggae/dancehall superstars, its founders are, unfortunately, less iconic. VP records was originally established in 1979 by a Chinese-Jamaican couple, Vincent “Randy” and Patricia Chin and has now grown to be the largest reggae/dancehall recording label in the world. The Chin’s early involvement in the recording and production of reggae music is crucial to the discussion of the Asian presence in this musical genre. ======

Another central figure in reggae music’s history is Byron Lee, a Chinese-Jamaican musician, producer and businessman. Reggae, soca and other forms of ‘island music’ are so commonly associated with Afro-Caribbean artists. Lee became the central figure in the band “Byron Lee and the Dragonaires” which he founded as a way to spread reggae, calypso and soca music on a global scale. One of the band's most famous songs is the Dollar Wine, which can be heard in many Islands around the world. The band was and continues to be a huge success, despite Lee’s recent passing, and the group is an illustration of the important role of Asians in popularizing reggae and other forms of Caribbean music. Byron Lee is also known for having introduced the electric bass to Jamaica, which further influenced the musical composition of reggae music. Lee is a music pioneer and his contribution to reggae music is evident, not only in Jamaica and the Caribbean, but worldwide.  Reggae artists such as Bob Marley developed a very prominent presence in the music industry and it is interesting to note that many Asian artists, with similar talent and ability, have had a much tougher time becoming popular. The fact that Marley was first discovered by Leslie Kong, a Chinese Jamaican producer, is a fact that is relatively unknown in the reggae history. Kong recorded some of Marley’s first songs, yet he is neither credited nor remembered as a central figure in Marley’s career.

__Key artists:*__  __Further Readings:__
 *  Byron Lee-Dollar Wine ([])
 *  Apache Indian ([])
 *  Thomas Wong
 *  Bob Marley (produced/recorded by Leslie Kong)-Judge Not ([]), One Cup Of Coffee ([])
 *  Vincent "Randy" Chin-([])
 *  Stanley Chin
 *  Geoffrey and Mikey Chung

1. Chinese Reggae Pioneers article ([]) 2. George Lipsitz-"Crossing Over"


 * NB: many of the producers/artists/managers listed above fall under more than one musical genre. Crossover between Caribbean styles such as reggae, soca, dancehall, ska etc. is very common.