Reggae often a common name for all Jamaican music, first appeared in 1968. As an "heir" to rocksted and ska, reggae differs significantly from it, moving away from the soft and somewhere sugary sound (the adopted rockstead from the American Rhythm and Blues), to a more rigid rhythm where the rhythm section comes to the fore.

Initially, reggae was characterized by the rhythm of the "drop drop" (kick of the barrel and "rimshot" - a blow to the rim of the snare drum, accounted for a third of each bar), beating out even beats rhythm guitar and keyboard "gurgling" - babbling. Now it is rather difficult (and rather impossible at all) to give a general definition of the whole variety of styles-reggae styles.

In the people, reggae is often associated with the religion of Rastafari, which is not entirely true. Certainly, these beliefs had a significant impact on the work of many musicians, especially in the 70s, the heyday of the ruts, and now at least one third of the reggae songs contain a rastafarian theme, but to call reggae religious music is incorrect and incorrect. Very popular topics of violence and cruelty, sex and drugs, social themes and political, vulgarity and banter, as well as, of course, romance.