Kingston Music Streets

Kingston Music Streets, recognizes and celebrates the streets of Kingston, where early Jamaican music thrive.

Jamaica's four main music genres: with Ska and Rocksteady being the earliest music genres; Reggae and Dancehall which dominated the Jamaican music scene since its iconic rhythms were first created. All four genres developed during the early years of the Jamaican music experiment. 

This phenomenal 'experiment' can be credited to Kingston's early Sound System Operators who, through their own individuality, determination, and rivalry would change the course of the Jamaican dance scene of the 1950s which was heavily dependent on North American Rhythm and Blues music, when they started cutting their own tunes by organizing local musicians to experiment playing a new sound, thus paving the way to becoming the pioneers of Jamaica's music industry.

These Sound System Operators started out playing on street corners, and open lawns around Kingston and grew more popular along certain streets. Most notable are Orange street( known as 'Beat Street'), Music Street, Beeston Street, and Charles Street, where the established and aspiring music influencers operated and called their home. This new music created Reggae Superstars, legends and world-renowned sound system selectors. These established the foundation of music culture rooted across the nation today. 

The Kingston Music Streets are a must visit on your next trip to Jamaica.