Meaning
The deep, conscious style of reggae — spiritual and socially aware, steeped in Rastafari, African identity, resistance to Babylon, and the struggles of the poor. Roots reggae ('roots and culture') is the music of Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Culture, with its heavy one-drop rhythm and message-driven lyrics. It stands opposite to lightweight or 'slackness' music.
Examples
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Him play pure roots reggae, all conscious tune.
He plays pure roots reggae, all conscious songs.
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Roots an culture feed di soul.
Roots and culture feed the soul.
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Di roots reggae message deep.
The roots reggae message is deep.
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Him play pure roots an culture.
He plays only conscious roots reggae.
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Wi haffi know wi roots.
We have to know our origins.
Origin
From 'roots' (African/grassroots origins) + 'reggae'; the conscious, Rasta-rooted style. See Conscious music, One drop.
How it’s used
Conscious, spiritual, Rasta-rooted reggae ('roots and culture'). See Conscious music, One drop, Rasta.