Biggest Stars

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
ARGPop Rock

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

ARGRockPop Rock
Panteon Rococo
Panteon Rococo
MEXRegional Mexican Music

Panteon Rococo

MEXLatinRegional Mexican Music
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
BRAAlternative Rock

Os Paralamas Do Sucesso

BRARockAlternative Rock
Los Auténticos Decadentes
Los Auténticos Decadentes
ARGCumbia

Los Auténticos Decadentes

ARGLatinCumbia
Inspector
Inspector
MEXSka

Inspector

MEXReggaeSka
Tipe-X
Tipe-X
IDNSka

Tipe-X

IDNReggaeSka
Los Caligaris
Los Caligaris
ARGPop Rock

Los Caligaris

ARGRockPop Rock
Madness
Madness
GBRSka

Madness

GBRReggaeSka
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff
JAMRoots Reggae

Jimmy Cliff

JAMReggaeRoots Reggae
La Mosca
La Mosca
ARGPop Rock

La Mosca

ARGRockPop Rock
The Specials
The Specials
GBRSka

The Specials

GBRReggaeSka
Dubioza kolektiv
Dubioza kolektiv
BIHSka
Claimed Profile

Dubioza kolektiv

BIHReggaeSka
Tryo
Tryo
FRASka

Tryo

FRAReggaeSka
Fiksi Aunurofik
Fiksi Aunurofik
IDNAsian Pop

Fiksi Aunurofik

IDNPopAsian Pop
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
JPNSka

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)

JPNReggaeSka
Goldfinger
Goldfinger
USASka Punk

Goldfinger

USAPunkSka Punk
SHAGGY DOG
SHAGGY DOG
IDNSka

SHAGGY DOG

IDNReggaeSka
La Raíz
La Raíz
ESPAlternative Rock

La Raíz

ESPRockAlternative Rock
Salon Victoria
Salon Victoria
MEXSka

Salon Victoria

MEXReggaeSka
The Aquabats!
The Aquabats!
USAPop Rock

The Aquabats!

USARockPop Rock
Viberate Analytics

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11M+ artists, 100M+ songs, 19M+ playlists, 6K+ festivals and 100K+ labels on one platform, built for industry professionals.

Top Artists by Radio Spins Last month

Madness
Madness
GBRSka

Madness

GBRReggaeSka
42.2K radio spins
The Specials
The Specials
GBRSka

The Specials

GBRReggaeSka
12.9K radio spins
Doe Maar
Doe Maar
NLDSka

Doe Maar

NLDReggaeSka
5.8K radio spins
Bad Manners
Bad Manners
GBRSka

Bad Manners

GBRReggaeSka
4.6K radio spins
The Beat
The Beat
GBRSka

The Beat

GBRReggaeSka
4.3K radio spins

Most Streamed Spotify Tracks

Past Month
1
Amargo Adiós
Amargo Adiós
1.1M streams
2
Our House
Our House
717K streams
3
Genit
Genit
558.9K streams
4
Boyband
Boyband
513.2K streams
5
Me Estoy Enamorando
Me Estoy Enamorando
474.1K streams
6
Kamu Nggak Sendirian
Kamu Nggak Sendirian
471.6K streams
7
Amnesia
Amnesia
430.1K streams
8
Y Que
Y Que
361.7K streams
9
Selamat Jalan
Selamat Jalan
359.1K streams
10
Mawar Hitam
Mawar Hitam
335.4K streams
1

Amargo Adiós

2

Our House

3

Genit

4

Boyband

5

Me Estoy Enamorando

6

Kamu Nggak Sendirian

7

Amnesia

8

Y Que

9

Selamat Jalan

10

Mawar Hitam

Top Spotify Playlists

Ska Latino
Ska Latino
Spotify
439.5K followers
This Is Panteon Rococo
This Is Panteon Rococo
Spotify
203K followers
This Is Inspector
This Is Inspector
Spotify
102.5K followers
Ska Mexicano 🇲🇽 Ska Éxitos
Ska Mexicano 🇲🇽 Ska Éxitos
Diverge
97.5K followers
This Is Madness
This Is Madness
Spotify
82.7K followers
This Is The Specials
This Is The Specials
Spotify
44.5K followers

Subgenre Popularity

Music stats for top 3,000 artists last month

Top Countries

    Top Cities

      • 1K
      • 80.8M
      • N/A
      • 143.1K
      1K
      Ska artists
      Spotify
      80.8M
      Streams on Spotify
      YouTube
      0
      Views on YouTube
      Radio Airplay
      143.1K
      Radio spins
      Viberate for Artists

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      Questions? We have answers

      Overview of Ska music

      Ska music originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was heavily influenced by American R&B, jazz, and Caribbean calypso music. The music style was characterized by its upbeat tempo, syncopated rhythms, and prominent use of brass instruments.

      Ska music gained popularity in Jamaica during the 1960s, with the emergence of ska bands like The Skatalites and Prince Buster.

      As ska music spread to the UK in the late 1970s, it evolved into a new wave of ska music that combined elements of punk rock and reggae music. Bands like The Specials, Madness, and The English Beat popularized this new style of ska, which featured politically charged lyrics and a distinct fashion style.

      Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, ska music continued to evolve and develop, with new bands like No Doubt and Sublime incorporating elements of ska into their music.

      Today, ska music continues to influence a wide range of music genres and remains an important part of music history, with ska festivals and concerts held around the world.

      Which musicians and bands defined Ska music?

      Some of the more notable musicians and bands associated with Ska music include:

      The Skatalites (1964-present) - Originating from Jamaica, The Skatalites are hailed as the pioneers of ska, blending Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B influences, establishing the foundation of the genre.

      Toots and the Maytals (1972-2020) - Led by the charismatic Toots Hibbert, this Jamaican band infused ska with soulful vocals, gospel-inspired harmonies, and infectious rhythms, leaving an indelible mark on the ska and reggae scenes.

      The Ethiopians (1960s-1975) - This Jamaican vocal group brought a soulful and melodious touch to ska music, known for their sweet harmonies and socially conscious lyrics, contributing to the genre's rich and diverse sound.

      Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (1950-2008) - With their energetic performances and captivating brass arrangements, this Jamaican band helped popularize ska music internationally, infusing it with elements of calypso and creating a lively and danceable sound.

      Prince Buster (1961-2016) - A prominent figure in the Jamaican music scene, Prince Buster's contributions as a singer, producer, and songwriter helped shape ska's early sound, blending infectious melodies with socially relevant lyrics.

      Desmond Dekker (1963-2006) - Widely regarded as the "King of Ska," Desmond Dekker's soulful voice, infectious melodies, and socially conscious lyrics propelled him to the forefront of the ska music scene. With his timeless hits and charismatic performances, Dekker remains an iconic figure in the history of ska music.

      Derrick Morgan (1959-present) - Regarded as one of the pioneers of ska, Derrick Morgan's contributions as a singer, songwriter, and producer helped shape the genre's early sound, delivering captivating performances and timeless classics that have left an indelible mark on ska music.

      Laurel Aitken (1950s-2000s) - A Jamaican-born artist, Laurel Aitken made significant contributions to ska music by incorporating elements of rhythm and blues and soul into his compositions, showcasing his versatile vocal style and captivating stage presence.

      Stranger Cole (1962-present) - Stranger Cole's smooth voice and romantic lyrics added a touch of soulful elegance to ska music, creating captivating tunes that showcased his distinctive vocal style.

      Which songs and albums defined Ska music?

      Influential music pieces that represent Ska music include:

      "Oh Carolina" by The Folkes Brothers (1960) - This influential ska track, characterized by its infectious rhythm and call-and-response vocals, is often credited as one of the earliest recorded ska songs.

      "Guns of Navarone" by The Skatalites (1964) - This instrumental ska masterpiece showcases the tight brass arrangements and virtuosic solos that defined The Skatalites' sound.

      "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker and The Aces (1968) - This iconic ska song, with its catchy melody and Dekker's distinctive voice, became a chart-topping international hit, introducing many to the infectious sound of ska.

      "Monkey Man" by Toots and the Maytals (1969) - Toots and the Maytals' energetic performance and the song's upbeat ska rhythms create an irresistible and danceable ska classic.

      "Pressure Drop" by The Maytals (1969) - With its soulful vocals and infectious ska rhythm, this track showcases The Maytals' ability to infuse ska with heartfelt emotion.

      "One Step Beyond" by Prince Buster (1979) - This energetic ska track, driven by Prince Buster's commanding vocals, captures the excitement and frenzy of the early ska era.

      "Three Minute Hero" by The Selecter (1980): This ska anthem captures the vibrant energy and social consciousness of the 2 Tone ska movement, with its infectious rhythms and empowering lyrics, making it a beloved classic among ska enthusiasts.

      Which music festivals and events represent Ska music?

      Some of the most popular music festivals and events that represent the Ska music genre include the Skanking Reggae Festival, which takes place annually in California and features a lineup of artists from around the world, including both established legends and up-and-coming acts.

      Another notable event is the International Ska Festival, held in London, which showcases the best of ska, rocksteady, and reggae music from the past and present.

      The Montreal Ska Festival in Canada is another great option for fans of the genre, featuring a mix of local and international ska bands in a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

      Other notable events include the Ska Fest in Victoria, British Columbia, and the Supernova International Ska Festival in Virginia.

      All of these festivals offer an exciting opportunity to experience the best of ska music in a live setting, with a diverse range of artists and styles that are sure to please fans of the genre.