Music in Jamaica

Jamaica is the birthplace of five unique genres of music; the proud creatures of mento, ska, rock steady, reggae, and dance hall. All of which have become internationally recognized and loved around the world.

Music is deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture and has played a crucial role in shaping Jamaican identity. Our music is known for its infectious beats, soulful melodies, and socially conscious lyrics. It is said music is in our DNA. This allowed Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley to become the legend and iconic artist he is today.

In Jamaica, music is a way of life and an expression of daily experiences. It is how we celebrate our independence, emancipation, heroes and happiest times in our lives. The excitement on the ground is palpable whenever there’s a major festival in the air.

People from all over the world flood our cities, towns, and entertainment centers to immerse themselves in our various music festivals, for example: Sum Fest, Jazz & Blues, Rebel Salute, Sting, Carnival, BWE, BTW just to name a few and not limited to smaller more intimate pop-ups at reggae bars around the island (including Ocho Rios), our social scene is abuzz with live music throughout the year.

As a resort nestled in Ocho Rios, we are committed to celebrating and honoring the country’s rich cultural heritage. You can enjoy our live reggae band on our Terrace nightly or you can venture off property to a club or party for a more exciting experience. We understand that sometimes, the sounds of Jamaican music may be unfamiliar due to heavy base, fast beat lyrics and combination of many different sounds from the mountainside, oceanside or community side can sound like pandemonium and sometimes there can be a build up of traffic. But as Bob Marley said, “One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain, so hit me with music.”

From an economical point of view, It was reported that our music and entertainment sector contribute to nearly 5% of our GDP annually and will continue to grow as we see more people traveling to Jamaica for more experiential cultural activities.

No music experience in Jamaica is complete without a tour of its origins spend some time in Trench Town where Bob Marley spent his formative years as a reggae artist. Or head to either of the Bob Marley museums, former homes of the international legend that have been transformed into immersive experiences.