In roots reggae, a four-on-the-floor kick pattern is called 'steppers'

In reggae drumming the bass drum usually hits on the third beat, not on all four. When a reggae track instead plays four-on-the-floor (a kick on every beat), it is, in the roots context, referred to as a ‘steppers’ rhythm. Four-on-the-floor is more common in modern reggae-derivative styles such as dancehall and less common in roots reggae, where the ‘steppers’ label specifically marks its presence. Knowing this term helps identify and request the pattern in reggae production contexts, where ‘steppers’ immediately communicates a four-on-the-floor kick to collaborators who know reggae conventions.

Examples

Carlton Barrett (Bob Marley and the Wailers) played four-on-the-floor on ‘Is This Love’ and ‘Exodus’; Sly Dunbar played mostly in this style. Four-on-the-floor is common in dancehall, less so in roots reggae where it is called ‘steppers’.

Assessment

Where does the kick usually fall in reggae drumming? What is a reggae kick on every beat called in the roots context, and in which reggae-derived style is four-on-the-floor most common?