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Problem Statement
How does Reggae music contribute to the positive attitudes of students attending the Clarence
Fitzroy Bryant College?
Background of Study
In order to fully understand how reggae music contributes to the positive attitudes of students
attending the CFBC, we must make ourselves aware of reggae musics origin and how it is
associated with the students attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
Reggae music was created in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Jamaica. Its rhythm was one
that was slow. The type of music it emphasized was the electric base and electric organ. This
Jamaican music boasted its own original sound. Reggae music and its lyrics mainly focused
on telling stories about personal experiences; it shared thoughts about life as well as politics.
Messages of peace and love were, and still are, the main themes in reggae music. This music
was carried throughout the Caribbean islands including St Kitts and Nevis. Consequently, the
CFBC students are quite aware of its existence and how it affects them. That is why the
researcher has chosen these students to be the sample group for this research project.
Statement of the Problem
How does reggae music contribute to the positive attitudes expressed by students at the
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College?
Purpose of the Research
The researcher chose to do this research in order to find the link that exists between reggae
music and the positive attitudes of the college students. Also, the researcher is aware of the
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significance reggae music has on citizens of the Caribbean and is interested in learning more
about the genre of music. In addition, the researcher realizes that the knowledge gained from
this research about reggae music will improve her ability to express her Caribbean identity in
the global community.
Educational Value of the research
This research project will aid the researcher in educating herself about the music in the
Caribbean, which is a part of the Caribbean Studies syllabus. It also develops the researchers
research skills that can be used further on in her educational and career endeavors. The
community will also benefit, as they will also increase their knowledge about reggae music,
its origin and its positive effects.
Study Area
The study will be conducted at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. This is located on
Burdon Street in the parish of St. George located in the island of St Kitts.
Definition of Technical Terms used
Reggae music is a type of music that originated from Jamaica; it has a slow beat and is a
combination of rock, soul and calypso.
Positive Attitudes is an expression individuals portray in their behavior after experiencing a
feeling of joy.

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Literature Review

Reggae music is a genre that has been prominent in its place of origin, Jamaica, for many
years. Its influence on the emancipation process for African slaves in the Caribbean region,
and its use as a voice for the black people are main reasons why it has touched so many
individuals worldwide.
Many authors have written several pieces on this genre of music. Some agree with my
statement that reggae music contributes to the positive attitudes of people, mainly the young
adults attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. Others, however, oppose that view.
Stephen A King an associate professor of speech communication at the Delta State University
is the author of Reggae, Rastafari; and the Rhetoric of Social Control (2007). He states that
the guitar musical contributions to reggae music created a happy and positive feeling in all
who listened. He said that western musicians have used major chords and keys to convey
happy and optimistic feelings. Mr. King has shown that even the musical instruments have
played a part in the positive attitude reggae music brings.
Not only have authors shared the same view as the researcher, but also reggae artistes. Richie
Spice, a Jamaican born reggae artiste, stated in an article posted by The Master Copy (2013),
reggae music will always remain relevant on the international music scene, especially when
the music has a positive message. This reggae artiste must know firsthand the positivity
engraved in reggae music. He said it has a positive message; consequently, any person taking
in a positive message will leave feeling a sense of optimism and joy. Richie goes on to
support this statement by saying that he as a musician must produce proper music and lyrics
the right way, music that has positive content so it can reach the masses.
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Author Norvan Martin of the Journal (Martin, 2012)

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Data Collection Sources
In order to properly
Data was not gathered from secondary sources alone, but primary sources as well.
These include interviews and questionnaires. An interview was conducted with Mr. Roy
Phipps on the 16
th
of December 2013. Mr. Phipps is a heritage musical instructor and member
of the cultural department of St Kitts.
This face to face interview took place at the Tucker Clarke Primary School. This source of
data was a credible source of information as Mr. Phipps, being a heritage musical instructor,
will know from experience the effects of reggae music. Although Mr. Phipps specializes in
teaching the elementary students on the island how to play the instruments used by our
African ancestors, such as the drums made from wood and animal skin, he is still in touch
with the other music genres such as reggae. This source of data is not one that is biased,
especially taking into consideration Mr. Phipps area of expertise, African ancestral music,
not reggae music.
The other source of primary data was questionnaires. Twenty five were distributed to students
of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College on the 17
th
to the 19
th
of December 2013. This proved
to be a credible source as the students were not prepared thus they could not premeditate their
answers. A variety of students was selected using the convenient sampling method, where
those who were willing to respond to the questionnaire were chosen. This ensured that this
source was not a biased one. Of the twenty five that were distributed, all were returned.




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Data Presentation and Analysis


= 12 = 13

Ages 16 20



Figure 1
Above is a Pie Chart that represents the responses to question in the questionnaire in
Appendix 1 (Page 10), Do you hear reggae music often? It is evident that majority of the
respondents do. The question that follows will state specifically where, however the
researcher assumes that this will be a result of the media surrounding these young people such
as radio and television. Reggae music is played on a daily basis on all of the media in St. Kitts
thus resulting in mass exposure to the young adults who responded to this questionnaire.

17
8
Do you hear reggae music
often?
Yes
No
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Figure 2
In figure 2, the results to the question; where have you heard reggae music often, is shown as
stated earlier, reggae is played on a daily basis on the media such as the radio. Therefore it is
no surprise that radio was chosen by 13 of the respondents. Phones and Other Devices were
also expected to show high results as most students often walk around listening to music from
these devices. The one respondent that chose other stated that they heard reggae music often
at concerts, which comes as no surprise due to the fact that reggae artistes tend to make an
appearance at the local and regional concerts.


Figure 3

The bar chart in figure 3 shows the results to the question, how do you feel after listening to
reggae? Fifteen of the twenty five respondents stated that they felt happy after listening to
reggae, which supports the researchers statement that reggae music influences the positive
attitude in the student group selected. However, many of the respondents who stated other as
their response, said that reggae music gave them a feeling of self consciousness while the
remainder stated that they felt reflective, or in other words like thinking about the past and
what goes on in life today.

11
13
1
0 5 10 15
Phone/ Other Device
Radio
Other
Where have you heard
reggea often?
0
5
10
15
20
Happy Sad Okay Other
How do you feel after listening
to reggae?
Happy
Sad
Okay
Other
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Figure 4
This Figure clearly shows that reggae music does boost the students self esteem. This could
be as a result of it boosting their happiness as they indicated in an earlier question. This also
proves the researchers statement that reggae music influences the positive attitude in the
student group selected.


Figure 5

This figure shows that 100% of the respondents do not share the view that reggae music has
contributed to their heritage. This could be as a result that reggae music originated in Jamaica
and as most of the students are Kittitian; their heritage will not involve reggae.

14
11
Has reggae music helped you in
boosting your self esteem?
Yes
No
0
50
Yes
No
0
25
Do you feel that reggea music
has contributed to your
heritage?
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Have you ever chosen to listen to reggae music when youre feeling sad?

Yes No
IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII I
Figure 6

Figure 6 shows the results to the question have you ever chosen to listen to reggae music
when you are feeling sad? Fourteen of the twenty five respondents chose yes. This supports
the statement that reggae music gives them a feeling of happiness as they indicated in an
earlier question.


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Questionnaire Sample
To assist in gathering data for the Caribbean Studies SBA, you are kindly asked to respond to
the following questions. Thank You.
1. Gender
Male Female
2. Age
16 18 18 20 20 and over
3. Do you hear reggae music often?
Yes No
4. If yes, state where you hear it often.
Phone/ Computer Radio Other ______________________
5. How do you feel when you listen to reggae music?
Happy Sad Okay Other ______________________
6. Have you ever chosen to listen to reggae music when youre feeling sad?
Yes No
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7. Do you think reggae music contributes to your positive attitude?
Yes No
8. Has reggae music helped you in boosting your self esteem?
Yes No
9. Has reggae music made you appreciate your heritage?
Yes No
10. Explain in words what emotions you feel after listening to reggae.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
11. Is reggae music a part of your countrys history?
Yes No
12. Do you feel that reggae music has contributed to your culture?
Yes No
13. If yes, state how reggae music has contributed to your culture.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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Interview Questions

1. What do you think about reggae music?
2. Do you think that reggae music influences the attitudes of the individuals listening
to it?
3. Do you think it gives a feeling of happiness or any positive emotion?
4. What are your opinions on reggae music and its relationship with our heritage?
5. Do you personally listen to reggae music often?