Polish reggae
Encyclopedia
Reggae
is one of the more popular music genres in Poland
. The rastafari philosophy is considered to constitute the main influence on Polish reggae. The majority of songs are sung in Polish
, yet a Silesian
group R.A.P. provides an important exception to both of the above, since its members clearly stated to have nothing to do with the rasta movement and sung almost exclusively in English
.
Some of the popular bands include: Izrael
, R.A.P. (Reggae Against Politics), Daab
, Habakuk, Love Sen-C Music, Indios Bravos, Natural Dread Killaz, and Vavamuffin
.
The reggae group Izrael
(1983-1995), from Warsaw
, which released at least three albums on Tess Records, has been cited as an example of reggae's popularity in Poland.
The reggae group R.A.P. (Reggae Against Politics) (1985-1987), from Gliwice, did not manage to release any albums during their short existence but their music was not forgotten and in the late 1990s four bootleg albums were legally released by labels Zima Records and Kaya Production. In 2011 Zima Records released R.A.P.'s first official studio album, originally recorded in 1986.
The Warsaw Village Band
has been noted to take traditional Polish folk songs and add a reggae touch.
's music is credited as introducing reggae to Poland, and beginning a vibrant reggae movement there. According to reggae studies professor Carolyn Cooper
, Marley's lyrics of "resistance against the system" have been a basis of inspiration for some human rights demonstrations in Poland. In the 1980s Polish rastafarians appeared. The first Polish reggae song was performed by the band Budka Suflera
in 1974 - Sen o dolinie, music by Bill Withers
- Ain't No Sunshine
, Polish lyrics by Krzysztof Cugowski. The first homegrown Polish reggae groups started in the 1980s, and some even took on the reggae look, complete with dreadlocks
. Some Polish reggae groups were included on the compilation album MUP: Reggae from Around the World, on RAS Records
. In 1999, reggae music was a prominent part of Woodstock Junction, an annual music festival in Żary
, Poland. Polish-language reggae has retained its popularity over the years, and an all-Polish-language radio station in New York state is more likely to play reggae music than polka music (which might not come as a surprise, since polka music does not originate from Poland
).
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
is one of the more popular music genres in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. The rastafari philosophy is considered to constitute the main influence on Polish reggae. The majority of songs are sung in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, yet a Silesian
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
group R.A.P. provides an important exception to both of the above, since its members clearly stated to have nothing to do with the rasta movement and sung almost exclusively in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
Some of the popular bands include: Izrael
Izrael (band)
Izrael is one of the most popular and influential Polish reggae bands. It was formed in March 1983 in Warsaw by two well-known musicians of Polish underground: Robert Brylewski and Paweł Kelner ....
, R.A.P. (Reggae Against Politics), Daab
Daab (reggae band)
Daab is a Polish reggae band. They were previously named Daab - Muzyka serc .- History :The band was founded in December 1982 in Warsaw by Dariusz Gierszewski/dr./, Andrzej Zeńczewski/voc.,g./, Artur Miłoszewski/b./ and Piotr Strojnowski/voc.,g./. In few months the band took two other artists:...
, Habakuk, Love Sen-C Music, Indios Bravos, Natural Dread Killaz, and Vavamuffin
Vavamuffin
Vavamuffin is a Polish raggamuffin, roots reggae and dancehall band from Warsaw. They were formed in 2003 and have released four albums under the label Karrot Kommando. The band members are Pablopavo, Reggaenerator, Gorg, Emili Jones, Jahcob Junior, Raffi Kazan, Mothashipp, Dubbist and Barton...
.
The reggae group Izrael
Izrael (band)
Izrael is one of the most popular and influential Polish reggae bands. It was formed in March 1983 in Warsaw by two well-known musicians of Polish underground: Robert Brylewski and Paweł Kelner ....
(1983-1995), from Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, which released at least three albums on Tess Records, has been cited as an example of reggae's popularity in Poland.
The reggae group R.A.P. (Reggae Against Politics) (1985-1987), from Gliwice, did not manage to release any albums during their short existence but their music was not forgotten and in the late 1990s four bootleg albums were legally released by labels Zima Records and Kaya Production. In 2011 Zima Records released R.A.P.'s first official studio album, originally recorded in 1986.
The Warsaw Village Band
Warsaw Village Band
Warsaw Village Band is a band from Warsaw, Poland, that plays traditional Polish folk music tunes combined with modern elements.- About the band :...
has been noted to take traditional Polish folk songs and add a reggae touch.
History
Bob MarleyBob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
's music is credited as introducing reggae to Poland, and beginning a vibrant reggae movement there. According to reggae studies professor Carolyn Cooper
Carolyn Cooper
Carolyn Cooper is a West Indian author, professor, and literary scholar. Carolyn Cooper's academic approach is grounded in critical theory.Born in Jamaica, Dr. Cooper currently heads the department of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica...
, Marley's lyrics of "resistance against the system" have been a basis of inspiration for some human rights demonstrations in Poland. In the 1980s Polish rastafarians appeared. The first Polish reggae song was performed by the band Budka Suflera
Budka Suflera
Budka Suflera is a Polish rock band which was started in 1969 in Lublin by Krzysztof Cugowski, and, after disbanding soon thereafter, resurrected by Cugowski and Romuald Lipko in 1974 and active to this day...
in 1974 - Sen o dolinie, music by Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
- Ain't No Sunshine
Ain't No Sunshine
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just as I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, as well as Withers on lead vocals and guitar. The song was released as a single in September...
, Polish lyrics by Krzysztof Cugowski. The first homegrown Polish reggae groups started in the 1980s, and some even took on the reggae look, complete with dreadlocks
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
. Some Polish reggae groups were included on the compilation album MUP: Reggae from Around the World, on RAS Records
RAS Records
RAS Records, also known as Real Authentic Sound, is a reggae record label.-History:RAS Records was founded in 1979 by Doctor Dread. In his travels to Jamaica he created a network within the reggae artist community there. By the early to mid 1980s RAS had signed artists such as Black Uhuru, Inner...
. In 1999, reggae music was a prominent part of Woodstock Junction, an annual music festival in Żary
Zary
Żary is a town in western Poland with about 39,900 inhabitants , situated in the Lubusz Voivodeship...
, Poland. Polish-language reggae has retained its popularity over the years, and an all-Polish-language radio station in New York state is more likely to play reggae music than polka music (which might not come as a surprise, since polka music does not originate from Poland
Music of Poland
Artists from Poland, including famous composers like Chopin or Lutosławski and traditional, regionalized folk musicians, create a lively and diverse music scene, which even recognizes its own music genres, such as poezja śpiewana.- Beginning :...
).