SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT ENGLISH A

Candidate Name: Fabion Clarke, Daniel Patterson

Centre Number: 10015

Candidate Number: 101540279

Subject: English Language

Year of Exam: May 2023

Territory: Jamaica

Teacher: Mr Edwards

Topic: Jamaica’s Culture

Sub- Topic: The Impact of Music on Jamaica

School: Charlemont High School

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page No.
Acknowledgement 3

Plan of Investigation 4

Reflection 1 5

Reflection 2 6

Reflection 3 7

Group Report 8

Plan of Oral Presentation. 9

Bibliography 10

Oral Presentation 11

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 Plan of Investigation
My group topic of this English SBA is “ Jamaica’s Culture “ but I will be focusing on “The Impact

of Music on Jamaica”.

However Jamaica has a rich musical heritage and is renowned worldwide for its contributions to

various genres such as reggae, ska, and dancehall. However, the impact of music on Jamaica extends

far beyond entertainment and cultural significance. Music has played a critical role in shaping

Jamaica's social, political, and economic landscape.

As a student of English, conducting this research is expected to widen my vocabulary and strength my

reaching and comprehension skills. In addition I would like to learn about the importance role music

as played for jamaica.

In order to complete my investigation ,I’ve plan to use recent online articles and newspapers articles

as well as a song. The data collected would be use to write my reflections and report.

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 Reflection 1
Initially, when I embarked on this project, I was hesitant to pursue the assigned topic as I felt

overwhelmed by its scope. Specifically, I lacked knowledge and familiarity with the topic "The

Impact of Music on Jamaica”. However, as I delved into researching, gathering, and analyzing

information on the topic of "The Impact of Music on Jamaica," I eventually came across three

significant artifacts that provided me with a better understanding.

Upon collecting my three selected artifacts and examining them individually, I noticed a shift

in my perception of the topic from how I initially viewed it. The first article (Jamaica’s Heritage in

Music, from jis, 2020) which is a online article that highlights Jamaica's heritage in music that is both

rich and diverse, encompassing a wide range of genres and styles that have had a significant impact

on music worldwide. From reggae and ska to dancehall and dub, Jamaican music has a distinct sound

and style that is instantly recognizable. And Jamaica’s music is powerful and vibrant and reflect both

high and low point in society which are aspects of Jamaica.

My Second artifacts is a online article written by Chad Bryan in the year 2018 which is about

ways that Jamaica's music has contributed to national development is by promoting unity and social

change. Reggae music has been used as a platform to address social issues such as poverty, inequality,

and political corruption. The music has also played a role in promoting peace and unity among

different communities in Jamaica. And also speaks about how Jamaica’s music has had such an

international impact in the promotion of local music that thousands of tourists are pulled to the island

and the economic value it also hold in high regard by other countries and also entail how Music has

Contributed to the counties national development.

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 And lastly my third and final artefact poem written by Natasha Orr which talk about one of the

greatest musicians who ever lived “Bob Marley”and the birth of reggae music.

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 Reflection 2
I am confident that language devices were applied correctly and effectively in all three of

my written pieces. In my first article “Jamaica’s Heritage in Music” the selected materials the writers

used emotive and informative language to bring their message across about the topic,“ Jamaica

Culture “. They drew you into the story through a variety of techniques, which gave me more

knowledge and a better insight on “The Impact of Music on Jamaica”. Moreover, the informative

language used in the article was equally impressive. The writers presented a wealth of knowledge on

the subject matter in a clear and concise manner that was easy to understand. They used a variety of

techniques to draw me into the story, such as anecdotes and quotes from famous Jamaican musicians,

which made the article engaging and enjoyable to read. Through the use of these techniques, I gained

a deeper understanding of the impact of music on Jamaica and how it has shaped the country’s

cultural identity.

In my second article “ Jamaica Music Contributing Positively to National Development”

the writers utilized a persuasive language technique that effectively conveyed their message about the

important role of music in Jamaica's national development. One of the notable aspects of this article

was the use of factual evidence to support their argument, rather than relying solely on personal

opinions or subjective interpretations.The writers skillfully used persuasive language to appeal to the

reader's emotions and encourage them to agree with their point of view. For instance, they highlighted

how music has been used to promote national unity and cultural awareness, which are important

aspects of Jamaica's development. By presenting these facts in a persuasive manner, the writers were

able to convince me of the significant impact that music has on the country's development.

The poem "Naah figet My Country" is a beautiful piece of literature that is rich in language

techniques. One of the notable techniques that the poet used in the poem was the use of rhyme. The

use of rhyme in the poem helped to create a rhythmic flow that made it easy to read and understand.

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Additionally, the use of rhyme in the poem added a musical quality to it that made it even more

enjoyable to read. Moreover, the use of rhyme in the poem helped to emphasize certain words and

phrases. By using rhyme, the poet was able to draw attention to specific words and make them stand

out. This helped to convey the message of the poem more effectively and made it more memorable. In

addition to the use of rhyme, the poem also utilized other language techniques such as repetition and

imagery. The repetition of the phrase "Naah figet my country" throughout the poem helped to

reinforce the poem's theme of patriotism and love for one's country. The use of imagery, such as the

description of the country's natural beauty and the people's resilience, helped to create a vivid picture

of the country in the reader's mind.

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 Reflection 3
Throughout the process of completing my School-Based Assessment (SBA), I had the

opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Jamaica's culture. The subtopic I chose to investigate

was "The Impact of Music on Jamaica," and I was fascinated by the ways in which music has shaped

Jamaica's culture and society. Through extensive research, I learned about the historical roots of

Jamaica's music and how it has evolved over time. I discovered the important role that music has

played in promoting national unity, cultural identity, and social change. From the early days of ska

and rocksteady to the emergence of reggae, dancehall, and other genres, Jamaica's music has had a

profound impact on the country's social, political, and economic development.

One of the most interesting things I learned was the positive effects that music has on

Jamaica's youth. Research has shown that participation in music programs can improve academic

performance, enhance social skills, and promote emotional well-being. Music is also a powerful tool

for youth empowerment and social activism, as young people use music to express their feelings,

share their experiences, and advocate for change.

As a student engaged in research, I was tasked with the responsibility of enhancing my

knowledge, honing my critical thinking abilities, and developing a deeper capacity for comprehending

and analyzing information. Working collaboratively with others in a group setting also presented me

with a valuable opportunity to cultivate the skill of cooperation, an essential aptitude for success in

both academic and professional contexts.

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 Group Report

Group Members: Fabion Clarke, Daniel Patterson

The topic of Jamaica’s cu culture is vast and varied cause of this there is many subtopics to choose

from when talking about that topic however today I will be mentioning two topics about my group did

Jimmy has fashion in the past and the impact of music on Jamaica. you find articles such as

https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaicas-heritage-dance-music/jamaicas-heritage-music/ and

https://deepinmummymatters.com/traditional-jamaican-clothing . It shows how Jamaica’s music is

powerful and vibrant and reflect both high and low point in society. of other issues the history of the

clues that Jamaica war in the past ranging from things like bush jacket 2 Kariba suit. For further in-

depth knowledge in the topics check the other members SBA's for the rest of.

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 Plan of Oral Presentation

Broad Topic: Jamaica’s Culture

Topic: The Impact of Music on Jamaica

Genre: Persuasive Speech

Source: Original piece

Language used: Standard English

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 Reference

Jamaica’s Heritage in Music” - [online] Available at: https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaicas-heritage-

dance-music/jamaicas-heritage-music/ .

Jamaica’s Music Contributing Positively to National development” - [online] Available at:

https://jis.gov.jm/jamaican-music-contributing-positively-to-national-development/ .

Naah figet my Country Jamaica - [online] Available at: https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/naah-

figet-my-country-jamaica-poem.html .

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 Appendix

Article 1
Jamaica’s Heritage in Music

Ska

Ska, regarded as the forerunner of reggae music, was popularized by the late Don Drummond and the

Skatalites during the early 1960s. It has been described as a Jamaicanized version of the North

American Rhythm and Blues (R&B). The lyrics of ska were often about the prevailing socio-

economic commentaries of the less privileged in the society. Popular songs of the ska era included

Count Ossie’s ‘Oh Carolina’ and Millie Small’s ‘My Boy Lollipop’.

The Ska dance

This consisted primarily of very fast paced movements such as “shuttle and split” which consisted of

moving the hands upwards, downwards, side to side, backwards and forward while lifting the legs

bent at the knees alternately.

Reggae

Rocksteady had a fairly short life span. By the end of the 1960s the music had become more up-

tempo and the popular musical genre known as Reggae was born. Reggae is a slower version of

rocksteady music and is characterised by its heavy, often repeated bass. Like its forerunners Ska and

rock steady, reggae songs often contain a message – political, religious or social. There is also a

strong element of Rastafarianism in the music.

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Over the years, the popularity of reggae music has increased both locally and internationally. In 1983

the group Black Uhuru won the first Grammy Award with ‘Anthem’. The late Robert “Bob” Marley

who died in 1981 still remains the most widely acclaimed reggae artiste. He was awarded the Order of

Merit (OM) for his contribution to the development of reggae music. Other popular artistes include

Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, U-Roy, Beres Hammond and Dennis Brown.

Conscious Reggae

In 1993, there emerged a new dimension to reggae music. This was known as conscious reggae. The

lyrics of these songs addressed social and spiritual issues. Artistes such as Tony Rebel, Sizzla Kalonji,

Buju Banton, Luciano, Capleton and the late Garnet Silk would fall into this genre.

Article 2

Jamaican Music Contributing Positively to National Development

A local music consultant, artiste and industry player have in common theview that Jamaica’s music
has contributed to the country’s national development, by generating earnings from foreign exchange
through tourist arrivals and the creation of employment.

“Our music has economic value. A lot of people want to visit Jamaica because of the culture, because
of the music and that serves as a vehicle for promoting other aspects of our country including our
food…which is beneficial,” Music Consultant, Clyde McKenzie tells JIS News.

He noted further that since the 1960s, modern Jamaican music has had such an international impact in
the promotion of local music that thousands of tourists are pulled to the island.

“So people like Desmond Dekker, Millie Small through the work of Earnest Ranglin, Marcia Griffiths
(and) Ken Boothe all of these people had a big impact on the international promotion of our music,”
he said.

“Then later of course you had the Marleys, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Omi and so many
others,” he added.

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Outside of its impact on national development, Mr. McKenzie was quick to point out that Jamaica’s
music has had an impact on the development of other musical art forms such as Reggaeton used in the
popular ‘Despacito’ song by Luis Fonsi.

“Reggaeton, which is what Despacito represents, is a Jamaican derived music form. In fact, in Puerto
Rico, it is called Dem Bow, which is really a song from Shabba Ranks written by Steely and Clevie
and that is where most Puerto Ricans trace the origin of Reggaeton,” he said.

Musician and producer, Freddie McGregor asserts that Jamaica’s progress is because of music “as
tourist come here for the (art form) and it provides entertainment in the toughest of times, [and it also]
contributes to the economy”.

“When you talk about national development, you are speaking about how we live, how we have
grown as a people. I do not know the statistics but I do know that music has been providing bread and
butter for many families and a springboard for progress and prosperity,” he said.

“Reggae is still large abroad and like Tony Rebel has said ‘reggae still put Jamaica on top’. Kingston
is now a creative city of music because of reggae. Jamaica is on the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) world list. Our music still having an impact,” he
continued.

Meanwhile, Copeland Forbes, one of the most distinctive faces in reggae music shared Mr.
McKenzie’s view that music has had an impact on national development.

He however argues that the music of “yesteryear was much better” as it “was attracting (far more
people) to our shores from all over the world”.

“The music of yesteryear was a thousand times better as people could relate to it, understand it and it
was more educating and uplifting,” he declared.

Article 3

Naah figet my country Jamaica (Poem)

by Natasha Orr
(Jamaica)

I'm a jamaican first

That's my land.
Suh noh ask me who me be,
Or wehh me come from.

Naah figet my country Jamaica,

No day,no way
Di ackee n di saltfish di nice piece a ham.
Banana,breadfruit wid some curry mutton,
Yoh waah me tell yoh bout it

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A delicious sump.

Jamaican culture is like no other,

We are famed as the birthplace of reggae music,
Yoh think no odda country can do this?

Beaches so nice n roaring like a tiga,

Wat did I do to deserve da country ya.

The land of wood and wata,

One of the greatest musicians who ever lived "BOB MARLEY" a yasso him cum from.

Naah figet my country Jamaica,

We ave a lot of things in store,y yohh think tourist luv dung ya suh?
Cause we are a lot of beautiful attractions galore..

Our jamaican proverbs will always live on,

Cause our elderlies mekk sure the younger generation know waah gwaan.

My country Jamaica has a lot to offer,

From our fastest man,
To our greatest songs.

Me a represent Jamaica any wehh me go,

That's my country dat a wehh me grow.

Naaah figet my country Jamaica we are one nation and the all a me a one.

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