What is the one drop rhythm?

A drum pattern emphasizing the third beat

Reggae History Trivia Quiz – Names, Facts and Surprises

UNESCO added Jamaican reggae to its list of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2018, and this reggae history trivia quiz explores the music behind that honor. Trace ska and rocksteady, Kingston's Studio One, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Lee Scratch Perry's dub, Rastafari and the global reach of Legend.

Start Reggae History Trivia Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

UNESCO
When did UNESCO add reggae to its heritage list?
Ska
Which style came before rocksteady in Jamaica?
Marley
Which Bob Marley compilation is one of the best-selling reggae albums?
Wailers
Which founding Wailer later sang Legalize It?
Studio One
Which Kingston studio was founded by Coxsone Dodd?
Dub
Which producer pioneered dub at the Black Ark studio?
Rhythm
What is the one drop rhythm?
Cliff
Which 1972 film starred Jimmy Cliff?
Trench Town
Which Kingston neighborhood is linked to Marley's youth?
Dancehall
Which style followed reggae in the 1980s?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: When did UNESCO add reggae to its heritage list?
Answer: 2018
It honored Jamaica's culture.
Q2: Which style came before rocksteady in Jamaica?
Answer: Ska
It had fast offbeats.
Q3: Which Bob Marley compilation is one of the best-selling reggae albums?
Answer: Legend
It was released in 1984.
Q4: Which founding Wailer later sang Legalize It?
Answer: Peter Tosh
He also played guitar.
Q5: Which Kingston studio was founded by Coxsone Dodd?
Answer: Studio One
It is called the Motown of Jamaica.
Q6: Which producer pioneered dub at the Black Ark studio?
Answer: Lee Scratch Perry
He worked with Marley.
Q7: What is the one drop rhythm?
Answer: A drum pattern emphasizing the third beat
Carlton Barrett popularized it.
Q8: Which 1972 film starred Jimmy Cliff?
Answer: The Harder They Come
It spread reggae abroad.
Q9: Which Kingston neighborhood is linked to Marley's youth?
Answer: Trench Town
He sang about it.
Q10: Which style followed reggae in the 1980s?
Answer: Dancehall
It uses digital rhythms.

Reggae History Trivia Quiz – The Sound of Jamaica

Reggae developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s from earlier styles like ska and rocksteady. Its relaxed tempo, offbeat guitar chops and heavy bass carried messages of spirituality, resistance and love.

Kingston studios such as Coxsone Dodd's Studio One and Lee Scratch Perry's Black Ark shaped the sound, and Perry and King Tubby pioneered dub's echoing remixes. Jimmy Cliff starred in The Harder They Come, spreading reggae abroad.

Bob Marley and the Wailers, with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, brought reggae and Rastafari themes to the world, and Marley's Legend became one of the best-selling reggae albums. Dancehall followed in the 1980s, and UNESCO honored reggae as cultural heritage in 2018.

What This Quiz Teaches

Music fans and travelers will enjoy these questions.

When UNESCO honored reggae
What came before reggae
Who sang Legalize It
Who pioneered dub
What the one drop is

Did You Know?

Toots and the Maytals named reggae in a song.
Sound systems powered street parties.
UB40 is a British reggae band.
Reggae Month is February in Jamaica.
Marley's birthday is February 6.