Most important artists
‘The Skatalites’ are a Jamaican Ska band formed during the 60s. They are considered one of the best ska bands of all time, if not the best. They were also one of the first Ska bands and they’re still one of the bands that remain active. They keep creating new music but their most important songs were born in the 60s.
‘Madness’ is an English ska band which was born in 1976 and belongs to the ‘2 Tone Ska Revival’. They became huge in the 80s and 15 of their singles became number ones in different charts. ‘House of Fun’, ‘Baggy Trousers’ and ‘Our House’ are some of their most important songs; these songs are classics in the history of Ska.
‘Ska-P’ is a Spanish ska-punk band formed in 1994. They are the biggest in the genre in Spain, and have created a huge fandom not only in Spain but in many Latin American and European countries. Their anti-capitalist, anarchist and pro-human rights lyrics have made songs like ‘El Vals del Obrero’, ‘Cannabis’, ‘Niño Soldado’ or ‘Sexo y Religión’ anthems.
‘Toots and The Maytals’ is a Jamaican ska-reggae band formed in 1963. They were one of the first ska bands and, during the 60s; they wrote songs like ‘Pressure Drop’ or ‘Do the Reggay’ (song that gave name to Reggae). They are a really influential band that has inspired many others, not only in the genre but in other styles such as Punk.
‘Operation Ivy’ (‘Op Iv’) was a ska-punk band from the US born in 1987. They were the band that created ska-punk by mixing hardcore punk elements with ska lyrics and sounds. They were Rancid’s (punk band) most important influence; in fact, the punk band has covered a lot of their songs. It has also inspired many other punk and punk rock bands.
‘The Toasters’, formed in 1981 in NYC, was one of the original bands of the ‘3rd Wave of Ska’. They are famous for mixing ska with other styles such as rap, R&B, pop and calypso. Since their beginning, they’ve been fighting for human rights and against inequality. In fact, they took part in the ‘Ska against Racism’ tour in 1998.
‘The Specials’ are one of the most important bands from the ‘2 Tone Ska Revival’. The British band was formed in 1977 and it is claimed that their music mixes a danceable ska style with a strong energy and attitude related to punk. They are also really concerned about social-political issues, which are reflected on their lyrics.