Reggae Music Connects Jamaica to the Global Community
By: , February 8, 2025
The Full Story
Reggae music in all its forms, including Dancehall, Dancehall gospel and other sub-genres, remains a powerful force that connects Jamaica to the global community, says Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.
“I want us all to recognise that we have a powerful music and we have an awesome responsibility to make sure that we protect it. We always carry the flag of Jamaica high when we speak of our music,” she said.
She was addressing the Reggae Month Church Service held recently at the Fellowship Tabernacle, 2 Fairfield Avenue, Kingston.
Reggae Month 2025 is being observed from February 1 to 28 under the theme ‘Come Ketch di Riddim’.
Minister Grange expressed gratitude to Jamaica’s musical pioneers for their groundbreaking contributions over the years.
She urged citizens to use the month-long observance to celebrate “the culture and the soul of our beloved music”.
“Jamaica has carved out a unique place on the world stage and it’s vital that we acknowledge and celebrate this incredible cultural treasure. This is the essence of Reggae Month – to celebrate what is uniquely ours and ensure we don’t risk losing it,” she said.
Minister Grange highlighted the Government’s efforts in successfully securing the inscription of Reggae music on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Reggae music was inscribed on November 29, 2018.
The core events for Reggae Month include the Bob Marley Concert at Emancipation Park on February 6; Young Reggae Ambassadors concert on Saturday, February 8 at Emancipation Park, beginning at 8:00 a.m; and Grounation at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Hall, 10-16 East Street on February 9, 16, 23, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Additional events include Reggae Open University, Reggae Wednesdays and the Reggae Gold Awards and events tied to Dancehall Week.
The full schedule of activities for Reggae Month is available on the Reggae Jamaica App, which is free for download from the App Store as well as the Google Playstore.