SKA, one of the musical genres Jamaica has gifted the world, will be celebrated today, July 1, International Reggae Day.

Conceptualiser of the virtual celebration of Jamaican music Andrea Davis told the Jamaica Observer that the decision to celebrate ska this year was taken in a bid to pay homage to the genre which is celebrating 60 years, just like Jamaican Independence and spawned so much of the success that the country’s music has had on the world scene.

“There is a big ska market all over the globe. It is very much a vibrant genre, even if it is not not being felt here in Jamaica. The genre is experiencing its fourth wave of revival internationally and we just wanted to highlight Jamaica’s position as the originator of the genre, even though were are pretty much a footnote at this time and an observer rather than a participant in spreading the music throughout the world at this time,” she said.

Davis noted that the lack of a Jamaican presence in the ska arena at this time is pretty much due to an age-old phenomenon.

“The truth is we have not continued to mentor and hone the genre through successive generations. Jamaicans have always been one to drop the old for the new, rather than continuing to build on what we have and maximise every stream of income. That just leaves the door open for others to come in and take full advantage of these opportunities.”

“Ska planted the seed for everything that we are reaping in terms of Jamaican music at this time. We had our first international hits with ska. Ska paved the way for the establishments of major institutions in our music such as Studio One and Island Records, so we have no choice but to honour and celebrate this music,” Davis added.

The celebration will be powered by participating media through its virtual global media festival, complimented by a digital campaign across all social media platforms supported by key event partnerships hosted in select cities around the world. Participating media in Jamaica and internationally are invited to spotlight the music and legends of ska and the genre’s impact on Jamaican music culture and its global legacy.

Davis said virtual and physical events will be held across the globe from Beijing, China to Brazil. Here in Jamaica, media outlets are being encouraged to develop ska and reggae playlists for 24 hours.

In addition to recognising the work of the ska pioneers, special tribute will be paid to reggae trio The Mighty Diamonds. Two members of the trio, Donald “Tabby Diamond” Shaw and Fitzroy “Bunny Diamond” Simpson, passed away in March 29 and April 1, 2022, respectively; and Denroy Morgan, who also died earlier this year.