1981

Casiotone MT-40

The electronic keyboard famous for the “Sleng Teng” rhythm pattern that revolutionized the reggae world

In 1985, a worldwide smash-hit reggae track featured wholesale use of one of the preset rhythm patterns from the MT-40. This pattern, commonly referred to as “Sleng Teng,” was referred to in an article run in a music magazine hailing the Sleng Teng riddim as a savior that had revolutionized the world of reggae. The MT-40, which touched off the computerized reggae revolution, can be considered an electronic keyboard that gave rise to new forms of musical culture.