Since the days of Ska, Reggae and Dancehall have come a long way. Originating in Jamaica, Ska was the pioneer of reggae, which then created dancehall. Over time, these genres have been through various transformations, each one leaving its mark on the music industry. In this article, we’ll look at the evolution of reggae and dancehall music, from ska to trap-dancehall.


  • "Ska Music"

    Ska (which came after Mento folk music) is one of the first genres of music to emerge from Jamaica in the late 1950’s. It was all about upbeat tempos and horn-heavy beats which people loved to dance to. It quickly spread to the UK where it was a hit among the Caribbean community there.

  • "Rocksteady"

    This genre emerged in the late 1960s, It was a transitional genre between ska and reggae music. Characterized by its slower tempo and more soulful sound compared to ska. Lyrics often dealt with themes of love and relationships, and the singing style is typically more melodic and smoother. This era was short-lived, but it has left a significant impact on the development of reggae music.

  • "Reggae"

    Reggae Music then came along, it was created in the late 1960s,and was heavily influenced by ska, but it had a slower tempo and a more laid-back feel. Reggae music was heavily associated with Rastafarianism, and its lyrics often dealt with political and social issues. Bob Marley, the king of reggae, emerged as the genre's most influential artist, and his music continues to be popular to this day.

  • "Dancehall"

    In the late 1970s, dancehall came about. This was an even more upbeat version of reggae, with electronic instruments and heavy drum machines. Dancehall music was the perfect music for dancing. This new sound quickly became popular in Jamaica, the Caribbean and even in the UK and US.

  • "Ragga (Dancehall Sub-Genre)"

    In the 1990s, a new sub-genre of dancehall music called Ragga emerged, this was heavily influenced by hip-hop and electronic dance music. It had a fast tempo and lots of samples and drum machines. This new sound was a hit with the younger crowd.

  • "Trap Dancehall"

    Now in recent years, we have trap-dancehall which is a mix of trap music and dancehall. It's heavy on the beats and electronic sounds and it's been gaining popularity in the Caribbean, US, and Europe. It's a new sound that's been embraced by a new generation of music lovers.


The evolution of reggae and dancehall music has been an interesting journey, the genres have altered over time. Each of these new sounds from Ska- Trap Dancehall has left its mark on Jamaica’s music industry. We’re thrilled to see what the future beholds for Reggae and Dancehall music as it continues evolving.