Where is Reggae’s Biggest Market?

It is clear, reggae has reached all corners of the Earth. The question is often asked, where is the biggest marketplace for the uniquely Jamaican brand of music? Even though France seems to get the nod from reggae watchers, it is safe to say the situation is dynamic to the point where the jury is still out.

According to producer/ engineer Sam Clayton Jr, France is the biggest reggae market outside of Jamaica. “I know France is the biggest reggae country outside of Jamaica. Yes, it’s a bigger market than the US, it’s a bigger market than England,” the son of well-known Rastafari elder Sam Clayton Sr, leader of the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, told Splash.

“The USA is of course five times the population of France,” he explained, “but in terms of the size of the country and the amount of gigs that you can do there, and the amount of artistes that come there, it is actually the biggest market for reggae music. I think France is where England was 20, 30 years ago. In terms of discovering reggae music, learning about, that’s where France is today.”