How Ska Created the Road to Reggae Introduction Most people know reggae. Many people know Bob Marley. Some know ska. But very few people know the story of how ska emerged from Jamaica's earlier musical traditions and became the foundation for one of the most influential genres in world history. Before reggae became a global movement, Jamaica was already creating a sound uniquely its own. This is the story of how ska was born, the songs that changed the industry, and why the music arrived at the exact moment history was changing. Chapter 1 Before Ska There Was Mento Long before ska exploded from Kingston sound systems, Jamaica already had its own folk music tradition known as mento. Mento was the soundtrack of everyday Jamaican life. It blended African rhythms, European influences, storytelling, humor, social commentary, and community celebration. Unlike later electric styles, mento relied heavily on acoustic instruments and live performance. As American rhythm and blues records b...