What Jamaican music genre evolved from rocksteady?

The Jamaican music genre that evolved from rocksteady is reggae.

Rocksteady emerged in Jamaica in the mid-1960s as a slower successor to ska, with smoother vocal harmonies, fewer prominent horns, and a stronger emphasis on bass and rhythm. By the late 1960s, musicians and producers developed those foundations into reggae, creating a style with more complex bass lines, sharper guitar upstrokes, organ patterns, and increasingly prominent drums.

The transition was gradual rather than the result of one single invention. Studio musicians, arrangers, producers, and sound-system culture all shaped the new style. Changes in recording technology and the movement of important musicians also influenced reggae’s developing sound.

Reggae later became associated with Rastafari, social commentary, political protest, and international stars such as Bob Marley. Dub and dancehall came later as related developments, so they are not the direct genre answer to this question. Ska preceded rocksteady, while reggae followed it.