Editing Reggae (section)

===Vocals===
[[File:Ali Campbell at Raggamuffin 2009 cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[UB40]]'s former frontman [[Ali Campbell]] performing in 2009.]]

====Lyrical themes====
Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing. Many early reggae bands covered [[Motown]] or [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] soul and [[funk]] songs. Some reggae lyrics attempt to raise the political consciousness of the audience, such as by criticizing [[Economic materialism|materialism]], or by informing the listener about controversial subjects such as [[apartheid]]. Many reggae songs promote the use of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] (also known as ''herb'', ''ganja'', or ''[[sinsemilla]]''), considered a sacrament in the [[Rastafari#Reggae|Rastafari movement]]. There are many artists who utilize religious themes in their music – whether it be discussing a specific religious topic, or simply giving praise to God ([[Jah]]). Other common socio-political topics in reggae songs include [[black nationalism]], [[anti-racism]], anti-[[colonialism]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manioc.org/fichiers/HASH5cd4cf20c65d4a87ecfcf5 |title=The 1970's Reggae Revolution: resistance against Western Imperialism by Jeremie Kroubo-Dagnini |website=Manioc.org |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704024850/http://www.manioc.org/fichiers/HASH5cd4cf20c65d4a87ecfcf5 |archive-date=4 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[anti-capitalism]] and criticism of political systems and [[Rastafarian vocabulary#Other words|"Babylon"]].

In recent years, Jamaican (and non-Jamaican) reggae musicians have used more positive themes in reggae music. The music is widely considered a treasured cultural export for Jamaica, so musicians who still desire progress for their island nation have begun focusing on themes of hopefulness, faith, and love. For elementary children, reggae songs such as "Give a Little Love", "One Love", or "Three Little Birds", all written by Bob Marley, can be sung and enjoyed for their optimism and cheerful lyrics.<ref>Mills, Susan W. "Reggae For Standards-Based Music Learning." ''General Music Today'' 17.1 (2003): 11–17. ''Music Index''. Web. 15 February 2016.</ref>

====Criticism of dancehall and reggae lyrics====
{{See also|Stop Murder Music}}
Some dancehall and ragga artists have been criticised for [[homophobia]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2007/06/reggae_stars_re.html |title=Reggae Stars Renounce Homophobia, Condemn Anti-gay Violence |website=Towleroad.com |date=13 June 2007 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925105032/http://www.towleroad.com/2007/06/reggae_stars_re.html |archive-date=25 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> including threats of violence.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=12 April 2006|access-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619081126/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html|archive-date=19 June 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Buju Banton]]'s song "Boom Bye-Bye" states that gays "haffi dead" (have to die). Other notable dancehall artists who have been accused of homophobia include [[Elephant Man (musician)|Elephant Man]], [[Bounty Killer]] and [[Beenie Man]]. The controversy surrounding anti-gay lyrics has led to the cancellation of UK tours by Beenie Man and Sizzla. Toronto, Canada has also seen the cancellation of concerts due to artists such as Elephant Man and Sizzla refusing to conform to similar censorship pressures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reggae's Elephant Man nixed from Toronto concert |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/reggae-s-elephant-man-nixed-from-toronto-concert-1.864382 |work=CBC News |date=30 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dancehall.mobi/2009/04/09/sizzla-refuses-to-bow-toronto-show-cancelled/ |title=Sizzla Refuses To 'Bow' – Toronto Show Cancelled |website=Dancehall.mobi |access-date=18 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221302/https://www.dancehall.mobi/2009/04/09/sizzla-refuses-to-bow-toronto-show-cancelled/ |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}</ref>

After lobbying from the [[Stop Murder Music]] coalition, the dancehall music industry agreed in 2005 to stop releasing songs that promote hatred and violence against gay people.<ref>Flick, Larry, [https://web.archive.org/web/20050715235727/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2005_April_12/ai_n13606969 "Gay vs. reggae: the reggae music industry makes changes in response to gay activists' protesting violently homophobic lyrics. The artists have no comment"], The Advocate, 12 April 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/reggae%20industry%20to%20ban%20homophobia |title=Sizzl – Reggae Industry to Ban Homophobia |website=Contactmusic.com |date=8 February 2005 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112152526/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/reggae%20industry%20to%20ban%20homophobia |archive-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2007, Beenie Man, [[Sizzla]] and [[Capleton]] signed up to the Reggae Compassionate Act, in a deal brokered with top dancehall promoters and Stop Murder Music activists. They renounced homophobia and agreed to "not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community". Five artists targeted by the anti-homophobia campaign did not sign up to the act, including Elephant Man, [[T.O.K.|TOK]], Bounty Killa and [[Vybz Kartel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/Reggaestarsrenouncehomophobia062007.shtml |title=Reggae stars renounce homophobia – Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton sign deal |website=Jamaicans.com |access-date=18 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429190141/http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/Reggaestarsrenouncehomophobia062007.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref> Buju Banton and Beenie Man both gained positive press coverage around the world for publicly renouncing homophobia by signing the Reggae Compassion Act. However, both of these artists have since denied any involvement in anti-homophobia work and both deny having signed any such act.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5028.html/ |title=Peter Tatchell stands by Beenie Man and Banton signatures |website=PinkNews.co.uk |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=29 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101413/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5028.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>