One drop rhythm

One drop rhythm is a drumset playing style of reggae, popularized by Carlton Barrett, long-time drummer of Bob Marley and the Wailers, created by Winston Grennan, in which the backbeat is characterized by the dominant snare drum stroke (usually a click produced by hitting a rimshot) and bass drum both sounding on the third beat of every measure in 4/8 time (counting in 4/4 time, the drummer would leave beats one and three open), while beat one is left empty. Thus, the expected hit on beat one is "dropped," creating the one-drop effect. A good example for this drum beat is Bob Marley & The Wailers' song "Running Away".

Sources

1. ^ Johnston, Richard (2004). How to Play Rhythm Guitar, p.73. ISBN 0879308117.