The “rockers” reggae beat is the money beat. The kick drum is on all four downbeats in each measure, leaving lots of opportunity to vary the rhythms that dance on top via the snare, toms, cymbals, and percussion. This is the “four on the floor” of reggae drum beats.
This element of the drum beat supports the other rhythm section instruments, like guitar and keys. The upbeat accents on hi-hat are another important feature of the reggae groove. It’s emphasis is opposite the common backbeat with its heavy kick on beats 1 and 3, placing the kick on 2 and 4 - beat 3 for how I’ve chosen to notate it below. The “one drop” is the most recognizable reggae beat for drum set.
