Rasta Culture in New York

Ever wanted a great playlist of Rastafari and Rasta-inspired music at your disposal? Well I’ve compiled 51 songs that stretch across multiple  genres of music that all have that Rasta touch.

Two artists that had a lot of their music included was Bob Marley and Slightly Stoopid. My reasons for including a lot of Bob Marley is because his music defined a time in history and defined a culture. My reasons for including a lot of Slightly Stoopid is because I feel like they are offering up more authentic modern ska, and that is hard to find in today’s Pop and Hip-Hop driven music world. I also really enjoy the band, they are one of my favorite bands in general.

A disclaimer about this playlist; I am the compiler and therefore have bias, I chose songs based on not only notability but also cause I personally enjoyed listening to them. This does not mean you will like this music, feel free to create your own and explore some bands that are on the playlist and some that are not! This is simply a suggestion.

I will organize the playlist by a general time line, older music first, more modern music towards the end. Enjoy!

THE ULTIMATE RASTAFARI PLAYLIST

The Guns of Navarone – The Skatalites

Fugitive Dub – The Skatalites

Burnin’ and Lootin’ – The Wailers

Rastaman Chant – The Wailers

Rock Steady – Alton Ellis

Long Shot – The Pioneers

Do The Reggay – Toots & The Maytals

Hold Me Tight – Johnny Nash

Natty Dread – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Sun Is Shining – Bob Marley & The Wailers

I Shot The Sheriff – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Get Up, Stand Up – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Concrete Jungle – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Is This Love – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Punky Reggae Party – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Back To Africa – Aswad

Chant A Psalm – Steel Pulse

Roller Skates – Steel Pulse

Steppin’ Out – Steel Pulse

Babylon Makes The Rules – Steel Pulse

Religion Na Politics – Majek Fashek

Promised Land – Majek Fashek

*** The music below this point is much more modern and some music on this list take a very different approach to Rasta inspired music. Listen with an open mind!***

Amber – 311

I’ll Be Here Awhile – 311

Santeria – Sublime

Caress Me Down – Sublime

Doin’ Time – Sublime

Spider Webs  – No Doubt

Hey Baby – No Doubt, Bounty Killer

Beer  – Reel Big Fish

2am – Slightly Stoopid

No Cocaine – Slightly Stoopid

Officer – Slightly Stoopid

Wiseman – Slightly Stoopid

Babylon Is Falling – Slightly Stoopid

This Joint – Slightly Stoopid

Closer To The Sun – Slightly Stoopid

Marijuana – Slightly Stoopid (feat. Don Carlos)

Pon Da Horizon – Slightly Stoopid

Work – Slightly Stoopid

Serious Man – Slightly Stoopid

King Without A Crown – Matisyahu

One Day – Matisyahu

Jerusalem – Matisyahu

Lay Me Down – The Dirty Heads

Jessica – Major Lazer (feat. Ezra Koenig)

You’re No Good – Major Lazer

Ragga Bomb – Skrillex (Dubstep)

Make It Bun Dem – Skrillex, Damian Marley (Dubstep)