There are many great reggae documentaries, ranging from the evolution of this music genre to pioneering Jamaican reggae musicians.
Here is a selection of some of the best documentaries about reggae, many of which are available in their entirety on Youtube.
Studio One Story (2002)
Studio One Story is a documentary this is both a staggering slice of musical history and a definitive guide to Studio One, Jamaica’s greatest ever record company, and its legendary founder, Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd.
Deep Roots Music (1980’s)
This extraordinary documentary on Jamaican reggae music was originally filmed in the early ’80s as a six-part series for the BBC, and years later it was released on three DVDs. Director Howard Johnson takes us on a musical journey through the complex history and culture of reggae music. The interviews and rare footage alone make the series one of the most definitive resources on reggae music to date.
Studio 17 – The Lost Reggae Tapes (2019)
This documentary tells the compelling story of the Chin’s, the Chinese Jamaican family behind “Studio 17” or “Randy’s” and the artists and producers who recorded there including. Among them: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis. A newly discovered treasure trove of original studio tapes reveal never heard before and unreleased recordings from the ‘golden age’ of reggae.
I am the Gorgon: Bunny “Striker” Lee & The Roots Of Reggae (2013)
Great documentary movie with an insight into the life and career of the Jamaican record producer Bunny “Striker” Lee and the roots of reggae. It features U Roy, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Sly and Robbie, Johnny Clarke, John Holt and many more…
King At The Controls – The King Jammy Story (2006)
This is a documentary chronicling the life of Lloyd James, better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, a dub mixer and record producer who has had an immense impact on reggae’s sonic trajectory.
Word, Sound and Power (1980)
The documentary is an authentic exploration of Rastafarianism, Roots Reggae music, through the words and music of Jamaican’s top studio band, The Soul Syndicate. It is a rare look into the lives of these musicians who helped form the backbone of studio work for 20 years in Jamaica.
Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records (2018)
A documentary about the love affair between Jamaican and British Youth culture told through the prism of one of the most iconic record labels in history, Trojan Records. It combines archive footage, interview and drama.
Roots, Reggae, Rebellion (2016)
In the 1970s, Jamaica came alive to the sounds of roots reggae. In this BBC Documentary, British rapper, poet and political commentator Akala tells the story of this golden period in the island’s musical history, a time when a small group of musicians took songs of Rastafari, revolution and hope to the international stage.