Words by Jesse Serwer
Hip-hop’s been borrowing from reggae since Jamaican-born Kool Herc updated the soundsystem throwdown for his new home in the Bronx. But the reggae references, both sonic and otherwise, that inform so many of rap’s biggest tunes have a way of flying under many hip-hop listeners’ radars. Here’s a cheat sheet: 10 (well, 14) classic rap tracks that get their sound from both classic and obscure yard productions.
Tags:A Tribe Called Quest, Afu-Ra, Bangladesh, Barrington Levy, Beatminerz, Black Star, Boogie Down Productions, Brentford All-Stars, Dancehall, Dave & Ansel Collins, Desmond Dekker, Diplomats, Diseases riddim, Fatboy Slim, Foxy Brown, Fuzzy Jones, Ghostface Killah, Grace Jones, Heatmakerz, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Hip Hop, Hopeton Lewis, Jay-Z, Joe Lickshot, John Holt, KRS One, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J, Max Romeo, Michigan & Smiley, Mos Def, Reflection Eternal, Reggae, Sanchez, Shyne, Sly and Robbie, Smif N Wessun, Special Ed, Talib Kweli, Toots And The Maytals, ToppaTop10, U Roy, Yellowman
