What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word reggae? For some, it would be the iconic Bob Marley. Others would answer Rastafarianism, or the iconic colors of green, yellow, and red that symbolizes the genre. Well, reggae is a widely popular music genre, and it’s an interesting one to learn about.

In the late 1960s, Jamaicans with African descent created the musical style known as reggae. The genre has succeeded as a dance music genre thanks to its pulsating percussion, hypnotic bass lines, and steady, up-stroke rhythm guitar. aka the "skank beat". It combines soul music, ska, and the core of Jamaican mento. But perhaps what keeps people hooked to reggae music is the rhythmic patterns of guitar, bass lines, and percussion.

To this day, reggae remains popular in the US, such as Miami and New York. But that does not mean that you have to travel far to enjoy the music - because this August, reggae will come knocking on your doors. 

The BeREGGAE Music & Arts Festival is up for their 9th annual festival that celebrates reggae and its lasting influence in the state. This three-day event is something to surely look forward to, as it might just be the biggest one hosted by Atlanta Reggae in the Park! When it first began in 2013, Atlanta Reggae in the Park was a block party-style celebration of real Afro Caribbean culture. Since then, it has undergone a name change and grown to be a beloved fixture of Atlanta's unmissable festival lineup.

Every year, they hold this event to fund their non-profits, and this year, it will be for the Hand Over Fist Foundation, which supports initiatives aimed at educating and empowering Black families economically.

The greatest part about this year’s festival is that they chose the venue where you can truly feel the intersectionality of Caribbean, African, and Black American cultures. This pulsating ode to Afro-Caribbean culture and music will feature live music, DJs, mouthwatering food vendors, pop-up experiences, and much more.

Join the fun on August 12 to 14 at the Piedmont Park, Atlanta. Admission is free, but you can get your ticket upgraded to VIp for extra perks. Head over to their website to learn more about it.