Dancehall vs Reggae
By Alan More
Reggae originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s.[1][2] Dancehall grew out of it there in the late 1970s, with sparer rhythms and deejays toasting over them.[3][5][6]
| Dancehall | Reggae | |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | Emerged in Jamaica in the late 1970s as a new turn in reggae.[3][4][5] | Originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s.[1][2] |
| Sound | Sparer riddims that went digital in the mid 1980s, with "Under Mi Sleng Teng" (1985) as the turning point.[3][5][6][7] | Offbeat chords over a strong, central bass line.[1][2] |
| Vocals | Deejays toasting and chanting over the riddim.[1][6] | Lyrics often carry political and social commentary.[1][8][9] |
Sources
- [1] St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture: Reggae (Encyclopedia.com) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [2] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [3] Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History: Dancehall (Encyclopedia.com) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [4] RBMA Daily: From Roots to Dancehall (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [5] Wikipedia: Dancehall (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [6] Manuel and Marshall: The riddim method, Popular Music 25/3 (2006) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [7] GRAMMY.com: How 1985 changed reggae forever (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [8] Smithsonian Magazine: Reggae Officially Declared Global Cultural Treasure (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [9] UNESCO: Reggae music of Jamaica (accessed 2026-10-27)
Frequently asked questions
Is dancehall a type of reggae?
It grew out of reggae. Dancehall emerged in Jamaica in the late 1970s as a new turn in reggae, then took its own path once digital riddims arrived in the 1980s.
Is dancehall faster than reggae?
Generally, yes. As dancehall went digital its rhythms got faster, moving away from the slower skank of roots reggae.
What changed dancehall in 1985?
Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng", built on a riddim made with digital keyboards, pushed Jamaican music into the digital era.