The emergence of a fresh music genre incorporating sounds of reggae, punk rock and hip-hop has taken hold of America’s counter culture. With it’s roots in southern California, this yet-to-be labeled sound is making its way to the east coast, creating an explosion of bands rocking to this unique trio of rhythms and a following of tattooed teenage fans and an.
Combining reggae with pop sounds is nothing new. Bands such as The Police, UB40, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, and 311 have incorporated reggae beats with rock, pop and metal. A blend of reggae, punk and hip-hop was first introduced by Sublime in the 1980’s when lead singer Bradly Nowell, bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh entered the Long Beach California music scene. Sublime’s first album, 40 Oz. To Freedom, was released by Skunk Records in 1992 and is now considered an indie cult classic. This new sound was the product of the surf-culture of Long Beach, which at the time of Sublime’s formation had a thriving underground music scene.
Although the untimely death of Nowell brought an abrupt end to Sublime, the band continued to release archived songs and continue to build a national and global fan base. Artists inspired by this beloved band and its taste for a unique blend of sounds, are successfully creating music combining punk, reggae, and hip-hop genres. The era of Sublime’s sound is not over; it is just beginning, with bands like Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Long Beach Short Bus, Pepper and Long Beach Dub Allstars.
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This site was created as an index of some of the most popular bands creating a reggae/punk/hip-hop mix, a growing genre popular among America’s counter culture. These bands are just a taste of what this music scene has to offer. Photos on this page provide links to biographical information on each band and also give some links to more great sites with lyrics, photos, tour dates and merchandise. |
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