Chris Blackwell ... hailed as being instrumental in the rise of reggae superstar Bob Marley. - File

The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame's Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, will pay tribute to Jamaican pop culture in February, as part of its Black History Month series.

According to the museum's website, the activities are scheduled to begin today with the seminar, 'Rasta and Reggae: A Marriage Made in Jamaica'.

Jamaican sociologist, Professor Ennis Edmonds, will be the moderator.

Tomorrow, the itinerary continues with the symposium, 'Jamaican Music on Film'.

Annual event.

Warren Zanes, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum's educational adviser, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that music's influence on Jamaican life made reggae a shoo-in for the annual event.

"Reggae is an unbelievable case study in how people used music not only to experience release from an oppressive situation, but also to address the situation to effect change," Zanes said.

After a two-week break, the museum's Jamaican expose continues on February 20 with the Hall of Fame series. Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell, will be the focus here.

Blackwell, who is usually credited with the international rise of Bob Marley, was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Marley, whose birthday is being commemorated today, was inducted in 1994.

On February 21, respected broadcaster/performer/producer, Michael 'Mikey Dread' Campbell will also speak on the evolution of Jamaican popular music.

The Mighty Diamonds, who came of age during the roots explosion of the 1970s, perform with Cleveland band, Dub Flex, on February 23. Two days later, reggae archivist Roger Steffens offers a perspective on the music.

Toots and The Maytals close the series with a performance at the museum on February 27.