Hope For Ska

Although it is the birthplace of ska, there is little presence of the music in Jamaica. Ska bands abound in Europe and the United States which are the horn-hooked beat's most receptive markets.

Singer/songwriter Hopeton Lindo salutes the sound that put his country's music on the map with Grown Woman, a toe-tapping song which also features singer Peter G.

Co-produced by Lindo, Richard Grant and Dwayne Hoilett, it was released in late 2022. In February, the veteran artist filmed a music video for Grown Woman in Kingston.

"My team and I decided that it was fitting to shoot the video in Jamaica due to the authenticity of the ska 'riddim' vibes, so most scenes were done at Dancehall Hostel where people come from all over the world to experience the dance and yard vibes," Lindo explained.

Grown Woman is an ode to mature ladies, but although he gives that demographic a deserved shout-out, Lindo was determined to show his respect to ska which emerged from Kingston's clubs during the 1960s. Its greatest exponents were The Skatalites band, and singers Derrick Morgan, Prince Buster, Owen Gray, Eric "Monty" Morris and Millie Small.

"Music evolves and changes over time, especially in certain locations and audiences but ska is a solid foundation music that is still relevant and popular in many parts of the world, Lindo noted.

Ska does have some role in Jamaica. The Alpha Institute (previously known as Alpha Boys School) where some of the country's top musicians learned their craft, retains a vibrant ska programme led by drummer Sparrow Martin, a past student.

The music's biggest stomping ground remains Europe, especially in the United Kingdom where ska was first embraced in the 1960s by Skinheads, anti-establishment, working-class white youth.

On the US West Coast, ska also has a base among surfers who blended it with punk rock. That concoction has helped Southern California bands like Rancid, Sublime and No Doubt sell millions of albums.