Book cover of Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King

Book description

The first major account of the history of reggae, black music journalist Lloyd Bradley describes its origins and development in Jamaica, from ska to rock-steady to dub and then to reggae itself, a local music which conquered the world. There are many extraordinary stories about characters like Prince Buster, King…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Bass Culture as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

If you want to nod your head along with the greats of Jamaican music, this book is for you. 

I would not be writing about this music without this book. The way that Bradley writes this oral history captures so much feeling and vibe that you cannot stop reading it.  So many musicians, producers, and engineers are interviewed about the rise of Jamaican music that you must read this book. 

I believe that this book is the center of all writing on Jamaican popular music and it is a must read for anyone who loves the sound.  

If you love Bass Culture...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Bass Culture?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Bass Culture.

Browse books like Bass Culture

Book cover of People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee 'Scratch' Perry
Book cover of Dub: Soundscapes and Shattered Songs in Jamaican Reggae
Book cover of Sonic Bodies: Reggae Sound Systems, Performance Techniques, and Ways of Knowing

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,343

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Bass Culture, you might also like...

Book cover of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman by Alexis Krasilovsky,

Kate from Jules et Jim meets I Love Dick.

A young woman filmmaker’s journey of self-discovery, set against a backdrop of the sexual liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s. In Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman, we follow Ana Fried as she faces the ultimate…

Book cover of Malcolm Before X

Malcolm Before X by Patrick Parr,

Malcolm Before X is about finding a way to continue moving forward after everything has been taken from you. While in prison, Malcolm Little discovered the power of reading and found a way to transform his character and become a better man. This half-biography focuses on that transformation, especially his…

5 book lists we think you will like!