Final answer:
Reggae is the popular music genre that was heavily influenced by the mento genre, a traditional Jamaican folk music that contributed to the development of reggae's unique rhythmic and melodic elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The popular type of music that drew heavily on the mento genre is reggae. Mento is a traditional Jamaican folk music that emerged in the 19th century. It served as a foundation for more contemporary musical styles in Jamaica. While initially a rural folk music, Mento's rhythm and sound significantly influenced the development of reggae in the mid-20th century. Reggae itself then became a major cultural force globally, its origins often traced back to other genres like ska and rocksteady, which also took cues from mento's upbeat tempo and storytelling lyrical content.
It is important to note how genres like mento, which reflects the life and experiences of the people of Jamaica, contribute to the development of other significant musical movements. The combination of mento's acoustic, rural sound with other influences, such as calypso, rhythm and blues, and jazz, eventually led to the creation of the unmistakable reggae rhythm that has gained worldwide popularity. This progression underscores the rich cultural exchanges that take place within the domain of music, often crossing geographical and ethnic boundaries to create new, dynamic forms of expression.