Ska Nation 360 : The Best Of Ska With Alphanso Castro

 is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues.

History of Ska. Ska is style of music that developed in Jamaica in the 1950s as a precursor to Reggae. ... Ska incorporates elements of traditional mento and calypso music, alongside American Jazz and R&B.

"Ska is an odd looking word: short punchy, almost funny. So is the music at times, a light, bouncy, horn infused grandfather of reggae." (Niel Strauss, The Sound Of New York: Ska. Ska? Yes, Ska. The New York Times. 1995)

The history of ska music is interesting as since its birth ska has continued to develop into many different styles. In forty years ska has enjoyed three waves of popularity around the world. This essay attempts to trace ska music’s history, the roots, the birth, the styles and, hopefully will offer you some interesting facts.

Some forms of African music, such as the Burru were allowed by the white masters who believed it would help the slaves to work faster. At times the slave musicians were also called upon to entertain the white masters. The type of entertainment provided by the slave musicians followed a carnival tradition and allowed the oppressed performers to dress and act like kings, queens, lords and ladies for the amusement of the white masters.

In the 1960’s this tradition was continued by performers who adopted royal titles such as ‘Prince’ Buster ‘Lord’ Tanamo, ‘Duke’ Reid to name a few.