“ReggaeEDM is for real. It’s a modern sound with history, heart, and purpose.”
— Damian Pinto, The Voice of EDM
History of ReggaeEDM
ReggaeEDM is a genre-blending fusion of culture, rhythm, and innovation, where the deep, bass-heavy grooves of reggae collide with the pulse and energy of electronic dance music.
ReggaeEDM was officially born in 1998 when Miami-based artist Kēvens coined the term at the Zen Music Festival to define his own signature sound, a spiritually driven fusion of jungle, drum and bass, and reggae.Emerging from the experimental roots of Jamaican sound system culture and the 1990s Jungle movement, Kēvens gave the genre its name and identity, setting the foundation for what would become ReggaeEDM.
Since then, ReggaeEDM has gained global momentum, crossing cultural lines with hits like Kēvens’ “Legal Dreamers” and drawing in genre-pushing acts like Asian Dub Foundation, Thievery Corporation, Adrian Sherwood, Major Lazer, and Skrillex. ReggaeEDM unites diverse audiences with the meditative soul of reggae and the high-voltage energy of the dance floor.
ReggaeEDM originator, Kēvens, in Seoul Olympic Stadium performing at Ultra Korea,
June 2018
Asian Dub Foundation performing live in Berlin, November 2008
Influencers and Pioneers
Lee "Scratch" Perry
King Tubby
Kēvens
Asian Dub Foundation
Thievery Corporation
Adrian Sherwood
General Levy
Congo Natty
Major Lazer
Featured Event
Decadence Colorado 2025 ReggaeEDM Guide
Denver is gearing up for one of the most important weekends in modern bass music history. Decadence Colorado 2025 is bringing Zeds Dead, Subtronics, and Tape B together for a world-debut back-to-back-to-back performance on December 30, a collaboration that pulls directly from the Jamaican sound system traditions that built dub, dubstep, and everything that came after. This moment is more than a New Year’s Eve party. It is a reminder that the sub-heavy chaos shaking American festival floors today began in Kingston studios with innovators like King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry. When these artists step onstage in the Bass Capital, they continue a lineage that moved from Jamaica to London, then to Toronto, and finally to massive halls in the United States.
The second night brings Illenium and Excision together for a rare New Year’s Eve B2B that blends emotional songwriting with pure low-end destruction. Denver is the perfect host city, with Red Rocks, Mission Ballroom, and a long list of resident bass fans who treat this weekend like a pilgrimage. Decadence has grown from a small one-night gathering in 2011 into America’s biggest indoor New Year’s Eve electronic festival, a two-night showcase of bass culture, festival storytelling, and the global roots of ReggaeEDM.
Upcoming Events
Reggae & EDM Festivals
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![Cyberpunk style digital artwork of a female character with a robotic appearance, neon purple and blue lights, and geometric design elements. The word "DECADENCE" is displayed at the bottom.]()
Decadence Colorado
December 30-31, 2025
America's largest indoor New Year's Eve EDM celebration takes over the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. Two nights of world-class production, multiple stages, and massive bass drops ring in 2026 in style. -
![Colorful festival poster with tropical scenery of palm trees, flowers, a crocodile, and a bird, promoting the Desert to Surf music festival at Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico from January 10-14, 2026.]()
Closer To The Sun
January 10-14, 2026
This intimate reggae retreat brings together fans and artists on the beautiful Riviera Maya coastline. Five days of beachfront performances, Caribbean vibes, and unforgettable sunsets create the perfect winter escape. -
![Colorful cartoon-style illustration promoting a music festival called 'WAWC Music Festival,' with musical microphones, speakers, a wave, a surfboard, and playful characters on a yellow background.]()
Wickie Wackie Festival
February 13-14, 2026
Named after Bob Marley's famous song, this authentic Jamaican roots festival celebrates reggae culture in Bull Bay's vibrant community. Two days of conscious music and island atmosphere honor the genre's spiritual foundation. -
![Logo for Island Music Conference featuring a stylized 'IMC' with a palm tree on top of the 'I', and the text 'Island Music Conference' and 'Uniting the World through Music' below.]()
Island Music Conference
February 25-28, 2026
Kingston's premier music industry gathering brings together artists, producers, and music professionals from across the Caribbean. Four days of performances, panels, and networking opportunities celebrate Jamaica's musical legacy. -
![Event poster for Beyond Wonderland Southern California, March 27 and 28, 2026 at NOS Event Center, featuring a fantasy-themed background with flowers and a character with blonde hair in a blue dress.]()
Beyond Wonderland
March 2026
Insomniac's Alice in Wonderland-themed festival transforms the NOS Events Center into a whimsical wonderland. Immersive stage designs, theatrical performers, and top EDM artists create a fantastical escape down the rabbit hole. -
![Promotional poster for the reggae event 'Reggae Rise Up Florida' happening from March 12-15, 2026, at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg.]()
Reggae Rise Up
March 12-15, 2026
St. Pete's waterfront Vinoy Park hosts four days of reggae, roots, and positive vibrations. With stunning views of Tampa Bay and a laid-back Florida atmosphere, this festival brings island vibes to the Sunshine State.
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![Event poster for 'Reggae Rise Up Arizona' with dates April 4-6, 2025 at Tempe Beach Park. Features desert cacti and a rabbit with antlers against a sunset background.]()
Reggae Rise Up
April 17-19, 2026
Desert heat meets Caribbean cool at Tempe Beach Park along the Salt River. Three days of reggae music with mountain backdrops and Arizona sunsets create an unexpected oasis for reggae lovers.
Contact Us
This is more than a genre. It’s a global community.
ReggaeEDM was born from collaboration, experimentation, and shared roots, and we want this site to reflect that.
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Working on a track that blends reggae and EDM in a fresh new way? Promoting an event that deserves the spotlight?
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