Three Waves Of Ska

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Three Waves of Ska

    Music is one medium through which a generation can express itself. For a generation of
suppressed, restless, working-class youths living in early 1960's Jamaica, this voice was a genre of music
known as ska. Since its original appearance, ska has resurfaced twice. Ska music has been presented to
three generations of fans in three separate "waves." Its humble beginnings lead to one of the most
influential styles of music present in the world.
    By 1962, Jamaica was no longer under British rule. Jamaican culture and music began to reflect
the new found optimism in its independence. Since the early 1940's, Jamaica had adopted and adapted
many forms of American musical styles. The predominantly black inhabitants of Jamaica took a liking to
rhythm and blues music (Davis and Simon 38), and with imported American records, "enterprising
businessmen attempted to string up small sound systems consisting of radio, turntable, and independent
speaker boxes" (Davis and Simon 38). These portable sound systems provided entertainment at dance
halls. Owners of different sound systems competed against each other at the halls. The sound systems
were run by two individuals, the deejay and the selector, dressed in "spangled waistcoats, black leather
Dracula capes, imitation ermine robes, Lone Ranger masks, and rhinestone-studded crowns" (White 4).
The deejay job was to introduce each record and to enhance the rhythm of the music!
by chanting along w...

Submitted by: digitalessays
Date Submitted: 04-09-09 11:53pm
Category: Social Issues
Words: 936
Pages: 3.74