Aotearoa is reggae’s second home with acts such as Katchafire, House of Shem, Fat Freddy’s Drop and The Black Seeds going to the top of the charts at will with their local take on the Jamaican sound.
Bob Marley in Aotearoa Photo: Murray Cammick
The genre is built around one simple rhythmic motif called the skank. Nick Atkinson examines this essential element of any ska, reggae or rock-steady tune, in conversation with DJ and broadcaster Dubhead, academic Jennifer Cattermole and local reggae legend Tigilau Ness to find out how and why we skank?
Music details
Artist: Bob Marley and The Wailers
Song: So Jah Say, Natty Dread, Revolution
Album: Natty Dread
Label: Tuff Gong
Artist: Bob Marley and The Wailers
Song: Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock it Baby)
Album: Catch A Fire
Label: Tuff Gong
Artist: Grand Rapids
Song: Men on the Horses
Album: Faintheartedness
Label: Independent
Artist: The Skatalites
Song: Twelve Minutes To Go, Street Corner
Album: Anthology
Label: Primo
Artist: Burning Spear
Song: Marcus Children Suffer
Album: Chant Down Babylon
Label: Island
Artist: Burning Spear
Song: Slavery Days,
Album: Chant Down Babylon
Label: Island
Artist: Burning Spear
Song: Slavery Days
Album: Chant Down Babylon
Label: Island
Artist: David Grace and Injustice
Song: Revolution
Album: Weapons of Peace
Label: Jayrem Records
Artist: Bunny Wailer
Song: Blackheart Man
Album: Blackheart Man
Label: Island
Artist: The Yoots
Song: Tutira Mai
Album: Sing Along with the Yoots
Label: Economy Records
Artist: Roscoe Gordon
Song: No More Diggin’
Album: Single
Label: RPM/BMI
Artist: Theophilus Beckford
Song: Easy Snapping
Album: Single
Label: Coxsone
Artist: Rua Aperahama
Song: Song of Te Kooti
Album: Ihimaera
Label: Independent
Artist: Phil Edwards Band
Song: Who You Are
Album: Unreleased
Label: Radio NZ Recording
