In 2007 a written request was officially draft up and presented to the Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding proposing that Febuary be officially declared Reggae Month in Jamaica by Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam). The following year Governor General Hall, acting upon the advice of the Prime Minister, made an officially declaration, and Reggae Month came alive from that day globally and internationally.
Based on the fact that many reggae events are held in February and the great icon Bob Marley also born also in February was the reason why the board of directors of RIAJam decided that February is the prefect month to observe reggae in its entirety. The goal is to generate local and international Reggae music through the month of February each year.
The first event that held after the declaration was coordinated by RIAJam working in collaboration with the Bob Marley and Rita Marley Foundations, Ministry of Culture. These activities included the staging by RIAJam of the Reggae Academy Awards in Kingston, the Bob Marley Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica concert at James Bond Beach in St. Mary presented by the Marley Foundations, the Reggae Film Festival presented by Barbara Blake Hannah and Peter Gittens, a series of music business panel discussions, emerging artist showcases, photographic exhibitions, and other events. The first Global Reggae Conference was also staged by the University of the West Indies during Reggae Month 2008.