Reggae Music Makes it to the
Global Culture Heritage List
Bob Marley would be so proud of the child he helped raise, Reggae. UNESCO, on November 29th 2018, included Reggae Music of Jamaica on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender and Entertainment applied earlier this year and she has been victorious.
What Exactly does this mean? Well, that's above our expertise so we will let the Website Reggaeville explain but one thing I do know is that with the new inclusion, Reggae music will be protected by the UN on the grounds of
"Its contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual. The basic social functions of the music – as a vehicle for social commentary, a cathartic practice, and a means of praising God – have not changed, and the music continues to act as a voice for all." (source: UNESCO)
Check Out How The Whole UN Celebrates to Bob Marley's ONE LOVE
With this being said, what does this say about Hip Hop? The core values are not represented anymore. As, Hip Hop used to be the art, now there are just a handful of artists who embody the core values. Save J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, and now hopefully Meek Mill, not to many artists are socially aware on their album. Not like Public Enemy, Tupac, Fugees, and more that are even more qualified than the ones I mentioned. Is it safe to say that Hip Hop will never achieve this great reward as Reggae has received?
