Gospel reggae

Gospel reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica, mixing reggae rhythms with Christianity-themed lyrics.

Several reggae artists, many of whom were previously part of the Rastafari movement, have converted to Christianity and adopted gospel reggae as their primary style. Examples include Tommy Cowan, Carlene Davis, Nora Dean, Papa San, Sanchez, Lieutenant Stitchie and Kerron Ennis.[1][2][3] Other major artists in the genre include Christafari.[4] Lester Lewis has been described as a pioneer of gospel reggae, having won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Song Competition in 1989 with "Every Time I Read My Bible".[5][6]

The popularity of gospel reggae has been seen as a sign that reggae has taken broader hold in Jamaica, having previously been strongly identified with the Rastafarian community.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Reid, Tyrone S. (2007) "Tommy and Carlene: A Gospel Affair", Sunday Observer, September 2, 2007, retrieved 2011-07-07
  2. ↑ Dawes, Mark (2003) "Stitchie Singing a new tune", Jamaica Gleaner, 10 June 2003, retrieved 2011-07-07
  3. ↑ Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 261
  4. ↑ Evans Price, Deborah (2003) "Christafari's Atypical Attraction", Billboard, 28 June 2003, p. 24, retrieved 2011-07-07
  5. ↑ Jebbinson, Andre (2006) "Lester Lewis pioneer of gospel reggae style", Jamaica Gleaner, 15 December 2006, retrieved 2011-07-08
  6. ↑ Horton, Chad (May 26, 2012). "Rapzilla.com Interviews Papa San & Tyshane Thompson (Son) Live" (Web). Rapzilla. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ Edmonds, Ennis Barrington & Gonzalez, Michelle A. (2010) Caribbean Religious History: An Introduction, New York University Press, ISBN 978-0-8147-2235-0, p. 212