Bad Boys, Red Red Wine, It Wasn't Me. Reggae music has had its fair share of (really) crappy songs that the mainstream has unfortunately pegged as 'the definitive sound of Jamaica." With patois practically indecipherable (to most), pop culture has seen fit to keep reggae and all things Jamaica at arm's length, sticking to easy signifiers (Usain Bolt, jerk chicken, "ganja") to identify something as "from yard." But take an educated approach to it, and you'll discover a rich pedigree of wonderful music from the proud people that wear the green and gold.

Reggae singers today focus solely on singles to keep their names in regular radio rotation, however, many artists have released full-lengths to make a more lasting statement. Presented here are five landmark albums that are pillars in reggae and dancehall, albums that can light a fire under your summertime soiree and take it late into the night.

Ideal for: Lounging poolside holding your fourth whiskey sour at dusk.

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS - CATCH A FIRE

Picking your favorite Marley album (that isn't Legend, which isn't really an album anyway) is much like picking your favorite Jay-Z album: some suit your mood better than others depending on when you listen to them. If you're in the mood to rebel and question the system, Burnin' is for you. If you're feeling carefree and want to skylark, Exodus is the way to go.

In this instance, Catch A Fire is the toppa top choice not only because it touches on both political and musical notes, but it is universally praised as a near perfect album. "Concrete Jungle" and "Slave Driver" hit a conscientious nerve with listeners, where standards like "Rock It Baby," "Kinky Reggae," and "Stir it Up" free up the tension in your limbs. The Wailers are in their musical prime backing up Bob's divine vocals.

This album helped the group spark a buzz with audiences outside of Jamaica and was a big push for reggae on the international stage.

JIMMY CLIFF - THE HARDER THEY COME SOUNDTRACK

Okay, this one isn't just a co-sign to hear the album, but also to watch the classic movie it was made for. Harder is iconic for several reasons: It was reggae's coming out on a global scale; both the album and movie provided a raw and accurate depiction of Jamaica in all of its grandeur and squalor (and made Jimmy Cliff a global star).

In a classic rags-to-riches by any means story, Cliff was basically Scarface years before Pacino was Scarface. The final scene with police, gun-in-hand, made Cliff honorary 'bad man' for life.

Sonically, the soundtrack captured the ethos of Jamaica: positive vibes in the midst of struggle and oppression. Cliff was backed up by the best, including legendary band/producers Toots & The Maytals.

Ideal for: Scheming and plotting, chanting down the oppressive regime.

Ideal for: Convincing the merits of reggae to your parents, who are still holding out on that "stoner hippy" music.

TOOTS & THE MAYTALS - FUNKY KINGSTON

Crazy to imagine a time when reggae was on no one's musical radar, but in the early 70s, this was a tragic reality. Toots & The Maytals were heralding in a new sound to the Western world. Their contributions to Jimmy Cliff's The Harder They Come was a hit in the UK, along with being session musicians for most music coming out of "yard." To make a grand first impression on new audiences, their debut album had a funky twist; they had reggae covers of American pop hits sprinkled throughout. In terms in terms of crossover gimmicks, they had Sean "Puffy" Combs beat by decades!

P.S. As a testament to their long-standing legacy, the title track of the album was sampled in a prominent Pitbull tune! Extra credit if you can name it.

BUJU BANTON - TIL SHILOH

A gritty rasp that can still hit a crooner's notes. As an artist, Buju Banton had it all. From an audience standpoint, Buju played the everyman role to a T and was able to speak to the rude boys, the conscious set, and the gyal dem all at the same time. He was universally loved and everyone that follows reggae eventually claims a Buju tune as their own.

In 1995, he released Til Shiloh, his crossover debut that put all of his talents on full display. A west-coast infused remix of his anthem "Champion" made his name familiar with North American audiences still infatuated with hip-hop and kept him in the mix for years. Dancehall anthems like "Murderer," "Wanna Be Loved,” and "Only Man" still keep the party going to date.

With Shiloh, Buju was able to stick the fundamentals while still advancing the reggae movement to new audiences. At the moment, he is currently incarcerated for some of his own rude boy movements (i.e. drug trafficking), but his legacy lives on through this seminal LP.

Ideal for:BBQ's with the fellas. Pulling up to the dance and feeling like the man.

Ideal for: Peak-hour full-on jamming. Consummating first dates.

BEENIE MAN - BLESSED

With Legend having been played to death in every household though the 80s, a new generation of reggae long awaited to carry the torch. Enter dancehall. The much more aggressive descendant of reggae's more laid-back lineage. This thumping bass, staccato rhythm and overtly suggestive dances spoke well to a whole generation of hormonal teenagers.

The 90s brought in a tidal wave of artists making videos for their singles, putting faces to the songs, and racking up droves of new audiences wherever MTV, MuchMusic, or BET was being played; Chaka Demus & Pliers, Shabba Ranks, Barrington Levy all rode the wave to much North American success.

While they whet the palate, Beenie Man was set to serve his main course. His album, Blessed, was a compilation of his hit singles from Jamaica. But with the genre also new to people, he was considered an ambassador; "Slam," "World Dance," and "Memories" became the mandatory medley in the dance for years, and made him the go-to reggae artist du jour at every party.

Beenie Man would not let up his onslaught of big tunes. "Romie," "Girl Dem Sugar," and of course, the BET staple "Who am I" all made their respective splashes on pop audiences, and made Beenie Man the icon he is today.