The Rasheed Griffith Show

46. The Philosophy Of Reggae - A Guided Tour

CPSI Podcasts

Send us a text

It's not all love, peace and brotherhood and if you're looking for Bob Marley, you're out of luck there too. Join CPSI director Rasheed Griffith and podcast producer Shem Best for an unfiltered foray into reggae, its historical starting point, political ramifications and cultural proliferation throughout the region and the world. 

Reggae is first and foremost a vehicle of protest. We explore the societal context which forced the hands of the Rastafarians, producing anthems of anti-establishment sentiment that resonated with a growing movement which was finding itself increasingly at odds with a post-colonial government.

What is "Babylon" and why are so many of these songs calling for us to burn it down? A greater understanding of rasta ideologies is required and we've got a basic crash course right here. 

Japanese Rastas may appear to be an improbable cultural anomaly, but it's a much more fitting match than you think. Reggae has become a global phenomenon, thus bringing the fight to seemingly unlikely locales. How has its message evolved over time and how effective is it today in a much more culturally mature and homogenous world.

People on this episode

Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.

Conversations with Tyler Artwork

Conversations with Tyler

Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Ideas of India Artwork

Ideas of India

Mercatus Center at George Mason University
ChinaTalk Artwork

ChinaTalk

Jordan Schneider