California State University, Monterey Bay Digital Commons @ CSUMB Capstone Projects and Master's Theses 2014 The swell and crash of ska's first wave : a historical analysis of reggae's predecessors in the evolution of Jamaican music Erik R. Lobo-Gilbert California State University, Monterey Bay Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes Recommended Citation Lobo-Gilbert, Erik R., "The swell and crash of ska's first wave : a historical analysis of reggae's predecessors in the evolution of Jamaican music" (2014). Capstone Projects and Master's Theses. 366. https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes/366 This Capstone Project is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ CSUMB. It has been accepted for inclusion in Capstone Projects and Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CSUMB. Unless otherwise indicated, this project was conducted as practicum not subject to IRB review but conducted in keeping with applicable regulatory guidance for training purposes. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Erik R. Lobo-Gilbert CSU Monterey Bay MPA Recording Technology Spring 2014 THE SWELL AND CRASH OF SKA’S FIRST WAVE: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF REGGAE'S PREDECESSORS IN THE EVOLUTION OF JAMAICAN MUSIC INTRODUCTION Ska music has always been a truly extraordinary genre. With a unique musical construct, the genre carries with it a deeply cultural, sociological, and historical livelihood which, unlike any other style, has adapted and changed through three clearly-defined regional and stylistic reigns of prominence. The music its self may have changed throughout the three “waves,” but its meaning, its message, and its themes have transcended its creation and two revivals with an unmatched adaptiveness to thrive in wildly varying regional and sociocultural climates.