(Hip-O/Island) Discovered by Columbus in 1494, subjugated by the Spanish until the British colonized it in 1655, the tiny island of Jamaica began Westernization as a slave port and pirate haven.

Founded in 2009, the Charleston nine- to 12-piece reggae band the Dubplates has been playing and expanding its Jamaica-influenced soundscape for more than a decade. They are finally reaching national ...