Samba Reggae was a major point of departure of Bahia Samba from the batucada styles of other Brazilian regions. The new form was a mixture of Samba, Jamaican Reggae, and other Brazilian and Caribbean styles. Like Reggae, the rhythm emphasizes the upbeat, while the bass drums imitate the characteristic Reggae bass line. It was said that the long measure - an important characteristic of samba-reggae - allowed longer verses to fit the political messages.

The dance is a simplified form of Samba with fewer movements per beat and not as energetic. And yet Samba music is commonly used to dance Samba Reggae to.

Samba Reggae music itself is a fusion of traditional Brazilian Samba and Jamaican Reggae. Pioneers in this genre are musicians like Jimmy Cliff, who helped introduce Samba Reggae to the world in 1970’s.