Jamaica’s Reggae Music Makes UNESCO List of Global Cultural Treasures

Great news on all fronts for Jamaican reggae music!

UNESCO, the cultural agency of the United Nations, has recognized Jamaica’s reggae music and the whole reggae music tradition as “uniquely Jamaica”.

That’s not all! UNESCO added that reggae music needs to be part of the intangible cultural heritage list highlights and that there is a need to preserve its worldwide popularity and voice for all people around the world.

Adding reggae, UNESCO stated that the music tradition’s it’s a great contribution to global discourse on injustice, resistance, love, and humanity emphasizing how it is “at once cerebral, sociopolitical, sensual, and spiritual.”

Reggae music developed in Jamaica during 1960s, allowing expression to oppressed people and provided them with messages of hope and uplifting.

It blended  perfectly in the country’s already established tradition of ska, rock, jazz, and rocksteady, often addressing sociopolitical issues, like injustice, police brutality and so on.

Jamaican reggae had been seeking UNESCO recognition as an “intangible cultural heritage” for quite some time now.



According to Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, UNESCO’s recognition represents a major achievement for the country.

She noted that this music created by Jamaicans has penetrated all corners of the world and will keep doing so, being one of the most universally loved music.

Big Up Reggae Music Big Up Jamaica!

Think Twice Riddim Video Medley(Studio Vibes). Reggae Music Warriors Musick Prod.