When you hear the word reggae most people associate it with Bob Marley, Jamaica and smoking weed. However there is so much more reggae music than those terms, it is the music of a culture.  The term reggae was not really seen until around 1970. While not to say that the music genre did not exist until 1970, it is safe to say that reggae music did not begin to hit a world stage until around this time. Originating in Jamaica, reggae is a combination of American r&b, jazz, ska and calypso music.  Artists such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Steel Pulse helped to spread this genre worldwide and are even known as roots in the genre. Bob Marley is the most popular reggae artist and even one of the most popular artists known world wide. His influence remains through his children that carry on his legacy. Stephen, Damian,Ky-Mani, Julian and Ziggy are some of this legacies that have continued to make music even after their father’s death.

The Emancipation Proclamation is a somewhat controversial document. Some say it was a document that was issued to free the slaves and others claim that it was issued to stop the help of foreign aid to the south.  No matter the reason the Emancipation Proclamation it freed the slaves of the Confederacy, but what of the slaves in the north.While they were freed by the 13th amendment they were not granted freedom by the Emancipaton Proclamation.  It is widely known that the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves but very little else is known.  The Confederacy was close to receiving the help of foreign aid which could have potentially led them to win the war. This document prevented anti-slavery countries such as Britain and France to aid in continuing slavery.

Musical appropriation is nothing new to the African American community. For decades African Americans have made music only to be ripped off by bigger names (often white) and make little to no money off of the song. While not only white artists are covering songs it is a little more common than other African American artists have covered songs that were made in the past and the song became more popular that ever. For example, the Fugees made a song Killing Me Softly. This song is widely known as their song but it is not well known by younger generations that Lori Lieberman wrote and recorded the song in 1971 and 2 years later in 1973 Roberta Flack made the song a number one hit. Shortly over 20 years later the Fugees remade the song and won a Grammy for it. Appropriation is not just a racial thing but can be seen as a term of admiration. While many not think of it that way, no one will redo something that is terrible. When someone realizes the potential for a song it might be tweaked but the overall item will still be recognizable.