It emerged out of the slums of Jamaica. Since then it has crossed boundaries and established itself in nations thousands of miles away from its homeland. In Africa Reggaes’ impact can be seen in many sectors of society. Among  youths, reggae is more than just a form of music. It is a conduit for the transmission of Rastafarian religious messages.

But reggae’s influence transcends beyond religious boundaries. Its socio-political messages to many are the driving forces behind the fascinating spread of its tentacles to all parts of the world.

Whether in Jamaica or else where, reggae spreads messages, which criticize injustice, repression, corruption and poverty. It has always associated itself with the underprivileged and weak in society by advocating for truth, rights, equality and justice. That is why most of its lyrics and clips feature the difficulty of life in the Caribbean slums.

Perhaps to many Africans, its acceptance is closely associated with Ethiopia and its Emperor Haile Salesi who is hailed by many Rastas in revered terms as the Lion of Judah. His close association with them stems from the believe that he is the black messiah entrusted to rule the world.

According to legend, there was a period of intense drought in Jamaica, but as soon as he stepped in that country, a heavy down fall of rain ensued. After this, rastas all over Jamaica and the World formed a delegation to meet him and with delight, he gave them land in Ethiopia, which fulfilled their dreams of coming back to Africa to finally settle in the mother continent.

Although reggae is the culmination of different forms of music, it was not until 1960 that the word was initiated in Jamaica to refer to a "ragged" style of dance music, which originated from the New Orleans rhythm and blues. Soon afterwards, it took the lament-like style of chanting and emphasized the syncopated beat. It also made explicit with the world of rastarafai. However, as one observer noted, the paradox of Reggae, of course, is that this music "unique to Jamaica" is actually not Jamaican at all, as its foundations are found in the USA and Africa.

Reggae was mainly popularized by Bob Marley, first as the co-leader of the Wailers. The Wailers was the band that promoted the image of the urban guerrilla with Rude Boy (1966), which cut the first album of reggae music called the Best Of The Wailers (1970), and later as the political and religious (rasta) guru of the movement, a stance that would transform him into a star, particularly after his conversion to pop-soul melody with ballads such as Stir It Up (1972), I Shot The Sheriff (1973) and No Woman No Cry (1974).

At its inception, reggae was very much associated with ghetto phenomena and gang-styled violence, but Jimmy Cliff's Wonderful World Beautiful People (1969) wed reggae with the "peace and love" philosophy of the hippies, a link that would not die away.

Reggae’s association with the message of peace and love continues unabated up to date, which is one of the reasons why it continues to win the hearts and minds of people the world over.

Reggae’s association with Africa however, is not only limited to religious philosophies. During the struggle for independence, Africans abroad including Reggae artists contributed gravely to the continents liberation. Songs initiated by artists like Bob Nesta Marley in many ways helped the continent overcome the chains and shackles of colonial bondage. This further helped to strengthen the immortal ties between reggae and Africa. No wonder therefore, Africa soon produced its towering stars like Alpha Blondy and the recently murdered Lucky Dube amongst others.

In the Gambia, reggae has spread its tentacles to almost all sectors of society. This probably explains the growing phenomenon of Rastafarians. And as noted earlier, Rasta has its origiins from Africa and it glamorizes such things as drumming, smoking reasoning and lots of reggae.

Over the past few years, reggae has been growing at an unprecedented rate in the country. In the streets, at home and in almost all public places, reggae manifests itself everywhere. And in case you are not sure about this, just go to the streets and ask people what they know about reggae. You will be surprised to know that they know almost all the artists. From Buju, Jah Cure, Capelton, Luciano just to name a few.

As Buju Banton a renowned reggae musician noted after his visit to The Gambia some years ago, "Rastafari has come from the shores of Jamaica and has landed its way back to Africa and has been reaching the masses for many years. The music, culture, and lingo of Rastafari is very much alive and well in The Gambia.

As I walked around (in the Gambia), I was greeted heartily by dread and non-dread that truly embraced Rastafari."

Buju was just one of many reggae artists who came to the Gambia only to be thrilled by the level of reggae consciousness. The late Lucky Dube was most surprised by how much Gambians knew about his lyrics and songs. As he performed at the indipendent stadium in 2000, the youths sang along with him.

But why is reggae so popular in the Gambia? Society went out to find out the answers to this question and the responses were just staggering. One of the youths who spoke to society was Modou Secka, who was introduced to reggae as far back as 1985 when it was still trying to break from its shell with the likes of Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Culture, Rita Marley, Marcel Griffiths and others taking it to the international limelight.

His first taste of reggae however, was through artists like Ija Man and Dennis Brown. His appreciation of reggae is just as similar to others in The Gambia. To him, it makes him contemplate on issues affecting society and the world. He described reggae as a way of life.

According to him, his contacts with Jamaicans during his 18 years of stay in America has made him realize how most Jamaicans strongly feel attached to Africa as most of them consider themselves as Africans. He described The Gambia as a "Small Jamaica."

Gambian girls have not also been left in the trail.

Aji Fatou Njie is one of such girls whose love for reggae is never hidden. She said reggae keeps her strong in her daily struggles. ‘Every morning’ she said, ‘I listen to reggae before doing anything. Such songs as Prison Walls by Jah Cure really serve as inspiration to me. Without reggae I don’t really know what my life would have turned into.’

She dismissed claims that reggae promotes violence and crime. For her, people like Bob Marley were well revered for their messages of peace and love. Artists who sing songs that incite violence only do so to gain cheap popularity and money. She also rejects claims that reggae promotes racists tendencies. To her, reggae is a means through which black people speak against an exploitative world system, which has subjugated, oppressed and suppressed Africa.

She also shares dreams and aspirations of a united black nation and confidently believes that the link between reggae and Africa will continue. She quoted Marcus Garvey’s popular saying that ‘Ethiopia will stretch forth its hands to God and princes and princesses shall come out of Africa’ as her reason for saying it.

African society has witnessed an immense social and political transformation in the past few years. Reggae’s contribution in this transformation has in no way been small. It has inspired the continents youthful population who see joy in associating with a phenomenon that creates the forum for social and political consciousness.