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The phrase "Reggae Got Soul" is most famously associated with the legendary group Toots and the Maytals, specifically serving as the title of their 1976 album and its hit title track. While the phrase feels like a timeless manifesto today, its origin is rooted in a pivotal moment of musical evolution and identity. The primary origin is the song "Reggae Got Soul," written by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert. At the time, reggae was exploding internationally, but there was a perception in some music circles—particularly in the U.S.—that reggae was rhythmic but lacked the "soul" or vocal depth of American R&B. Toots Hibbert, who was often called the "Otis Redding of Reggae," wrote the song to bridge that gap. The lyrics were a direct rebuttal to critics, asserting that the spirit and "soul" found in James Brown or Ray Charles were just as present in the Kingston sound.