Welcome to The International Association for the Study of Popular Music UK and Ireland Branch

International Reggae: Traditional and Emerging Expressions in Popular Music

Posted: September 5th, 2012 | Filed under: Calls for Papers | No Comments »

University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
February 14-16, 2013

The Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Reggae Studies Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona announce the third International Reggae Conference (formerly Global Reggae Conference) under the theme “Traditional and Emerging Expressions in Popular Music”.

The conference and associated events will consolidate and disseminate knowledge on Jamaican music culture and associated music forms. This conference will also reflect on Jamaica’s attainment of 50 years and beyond and celebrate the 68th anniversary of the birth of Jamaica’s premier cultural ambassador, the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, with the hosting of the Annual Bob Marley Lecture, in affiliation with the Bob Marley Foundation. In addition, IRC2013 will highlight the international spread of Reggae music and culture in affiliation with Europe’s acclaimed Rototom Sunsplash festival as it celebrates 20 years of showcasing Reggae Lifestyle and Culture.

Academics, researchers, artistes, musicians, scholars, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and music lovers from around the world will be able to share their experiences and perspectives on reggae and dancehall music in particular. The IRC2013 will also explore particular aspects of music creation and dissemination in an effort to assess the trends affecting the movement of reggae and dancehall internationally and highlight valuable strategies for enhancing the development of cultural/creative music enterprises.

Proposed conference sub-themes include but are not limited to the following:

  • Songs of Freedom
  • Social Media and Popular Music
  • The Reggae Artiste as Cultural Ambassador
  • Gender and Sexuality in Jamaican Popular Music
  • International Reggae Music Festivals
  • Commodification of Reggae and Dancehall
  • Language and Lyrics
  • Celebrating Fashion and Style in Popular Music
  • The Artiste as Entrepreneur
  • Media, Regulation and Popular Music
  • Reggae and Dancehall as Social Capital
  • Legislative Framework for Popular Music
  • Cultural/Creative Enterprises in Popular Music
  • Digital Media and Popular Music

We welcome innovative uses of technology and creative session formats as well as traditional paper presentations.

Proposals should be no more than 300 words for each individual presentation. For panels, include one abstract for each presentation. Each presenter should submit a cover page with name, affiliation, contact information and a short bio (75 words or less). Kindly specify in your proposals any specific needs or technology requirements you may have.

DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS IS October 15, 2012.
Email all submissions to [email protected] with the heading CONFERENCE PRESENTATION PROPOSAL.

Contact the International Reggae Secretariat with queries at:

Reggae Studies Unit
Institute of Caribbean Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Education
University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1 (876) 977-1951
Fax: 1 (876) 977-3430



Leave a Reply