This is the only correct, non-opinionated answer. I'd follow it up with some examples that you think are representitive and let that person form their own opinion.
It’s also one that most non musicians won’t understand well.
When describing something it’s important to know your audience as well as to start general before getting into details
Similar to a lot of the other comments. I would say that in general it sounds like a mix of punk and reggae. It is music that originated in Jamaica with influence from Jazz and evolved over time as it came to the UK and US. Most ska you here is very distinctive by the fast pace, horns, and bass lines.
But like I said depends on my audience what details I get into first ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
I mean yeah but its hard to have any *simple* description that incapsulates ALL of Ska. So yeah to be 100% accurate you have to be technical but there is a reason I used "in general". Very few genres can be 100% incapsulated with a simple description but they are the best way to intro someone to something if they arent a musician. The post didn't ask for a description that perfectly incapsulates ska but a description meant for a newbie.
If said newbie doesn't like punk, then you've already lost them. There are ska bands all the way through the present day where the punk aspect is minimal to non-existent (i.e. Tokyo ska paradise Orchestra, toasters - more on the minimal end, for sure). To include punk in your descriptor completely white washes the genre and negates almost 20 years of it's history.
As I commented in another segment, I would go with "it's the missing link between jazz and reggae". If you wanted to encapsulate the genre in it's entirety, you could add another line in there : "later incarnations of it started adding rock and punk influences to varying degrees."
What I like about the missing link descriptor is that it neatly sums up how it came about, and acknowledges that it was a precursor to reggae, rocksteady, dancehall, etc.
I’ve said in past it’s a combo of punk and reggae, so I guess I’m not far from everyone else’s opinion😊 if anyone has to ask about reggae origins, my general answer is what rock have you been hiding under…haha
I'm not a musician myself, I think it's pretty easy to elaborate on what an offbeat is and what a walking bass line is if someone were to ask.
I think when explaining what the genre is it's best to start at it's origin, because it's from there that you can explain how we got the second wave and third wave sounds. When you start from second or third as your definition it becomes much more difficult to explain the past sounds.
I usually just ask if they know what reggae is(that’s all everyone talks about) and just tell them it’s a faster pace reggae but it’s actually came before reggae
One of my friends described the music I like(mainly ska but a handful of other stuff as well) as circus pirate music. Not sure what that means but I assume it checks out because the second biggest thing that determines if I like a song is how fun it is to listen to while juggling💀
Dude, you got downvoted, but I picked you back up. Early Ska did come from American Jazz, so I support your response as true. Perhaps not the best, but true, and not deserving of a downvote.
I usually start by saying most people associate it with white dudes with side burns and Hawaiian shirts playing trumpets but it's really the precursor to reggae and originated in early 60s Jamaica
If they understand music I give them textbook definition of having rhythms accentuated in the off-beat, if they dont, I call it ‘quick reggae with horns’
I had a coworker say, “ska is the kind of music a 12 year old in the 90s hears in their head when they are told they can get pizza *and* mozzarella sticks for dinner, the guys can sleep over, and there are 4 controllers to play Golden Eye.”
I didn’t feel like it was the most inaccurate description of it.
The way I would describe ska punk specifically to someone who doesn't know what it is I would say
You know what punk is right? Now imagine if we mix 2tone and Jamaica ska and we merge both together
I usually refer people to Livin La Vida Loca as a reference that they’ve almost definitely heard before. The other story i stick to is that it’s Reggae before the Ganja took over.
I used to ask people what is the punk music that sounds like jumping no one could ever figure out what I was talking about until I gave them an example yeah it is kinda hard to explain
Imagine polka or conjuto *as if it were* pioneered by a teenage Bob Marley and The Wailers, had horns instead of accordion, and was more generally more uptempo.
It’s a long conversation but, it’s essentially Fast paced Reggae.. the sub genre of Ska changes as the beat gets faster. Types of Ska are not limited to Rocksteady, 2tone, 3rd wave, Ska-Punk, Skacore amongst others. Also, it can be blended with others genres as well.
'Nothing but a modern off-shoot of Reggae, updated white rock influences. Definitely upbeat. It'll never become really popular, because even though they've made the back beat more conventional, it's still too exotic for mass acceptance.'
[(source…)](https://youtu.be/mJGbFcC8pbw?si=oc9AtDX2r8jRyP_U)
A genre of music originating from Jamaica where guitars/keys are on the offbeat. Usually comes with a walking bass line to accompany it.
This is the only correct, non-opinionated answer. I'd follow it up with some examples that you think are representitive and let that person form their own opinion.
It’s also one that most non musicians won’t understand well. When describing something it’s important to know your audience as well as to start general before getting into details
What do you suggest then, for non musicians ?
Similar to a lot of the other comments. I would say that in general it sounds like a mix of punk and reggae. It is music that originated in Jamaica with influence from Jazz and evolved over time as it came to the UK and US. Most ska you here is very distinctive by the fast pace, horns, and bass lines. But like I said depends on my audience what details I get into first ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
The skatellites and prince buster weren't even remotely punk, so this response would not be accurate at all for first wave
I mean yeah but its hard to have any *simple* description that incapsulates ALL of Ska. So yeah to be 100% accurate you have to be technical but there is a reason I used "in general". Very few genres can be 100% incapsulated with a simple description but they are the best way to intro someone to something if they arent a musician. The post didn't ask for a description that perfectly incapsulates ska but a description meant for a newbie.
If said newbie doesn't like punk, then you've already lost them. There are ska bands all the way through the present day where the punk aspect is minimal to non-existent (i.e. Tokyo ska paradise Orchestra, toasters - more on the minimal end, for sure). To include punk in your descriptor completely white washes the genre and negates almost 20 years of it's history. As I commented in another segment, I would go with "it's the missing link between jazz and reggae". If you wanted to encapsulate the genre in it's entirety, you could add another line in there : "later incarnations of it started adding rock and punk influences to varying degrees." What I like about the missing link descriptor is that it neatly sums up how it came about, and acknowledges that it was a precursor to reggae, rocksteady, dancehall, etc.
I’ve said in past it’s a combo of punk and reggae, so I guess I’m not far from everyone else’s opinion😊 if anyone has to ask about reggae origins, my general answer is what rock have you been hiding under…haha
As a non-musician I explain it to other non-musicians as that "ooh-wakka" sound you hear the guitar making.
I'm not a musician myself, I think it's pretty easy to elaborate on what an offbeat is and what a walking bass line is if someone were to ask. I think when explaining what the genre is it's best to start at it's origin, because it's from there that you can explain how we got the second wave and third wave sounds. When you start from second or third as your definition it becomes much more difficult to explain the past sounds.
Don't forget HORNS!
Very upbeat Jamaican music with a strong offbeat, and it usually involves horns.
Upbeat reggae with horns.
I usually just ask if they know what reggae is(that’s all everyone talks about) and just tell them it’s a faster pace reggae but it’s actually came before reggae
This is how my friend described it to me way back in the late 90s when I got into ska.
My wife describes it as “muppet music.” Unrelated, anyone have a good divorce lawyer’s contact info?
The worst part is it’s not an original thought, just parroted it from wherever she saw it. Probably Instagram or Facebook depending on age.
Someone that doesn’t like ska described it as “angry circus music” which seemed like a compliment…
One of my friends described the music I like(mainly ska but a handful of other stuff as well) as circus pirate music. Not sure what that means but I assume it checks out because the second biggest thing that determines if I like a song is how fun it is to listen to while juggling💀
I could see this description for the Voodoo Glow Skulls
How would that be a compliment? Circus music is universally perceived as frenetic and annoying.
Damn dude, you like music cuz you think it’s good? Whack
Yeah like ska
I will never turn my back on Ska!
It's that feeling you get when you hold hands with your best gal!
It's the bees knees for sure
It's the missing link between jazz and reggae.
Not many people can Cha Cha Cha or do the twist, but anyone can dance to this. Also there are horns.
The theme music to your favorite 90s cartoons.
#Assume the crash position
It sounds the way mozzarella sticks taste. But seriously I usually say it's a combination of rock, reggae & New Orleans Jazz.
bwa bwa bwa bwa bwa ch ch ch ch ch PICK IT UP
#PICK-'T-UP (4x)
My girlfriend keeps asking me what exactly do they want us to “pick up”?
Horny
Chicago on acid
This made me smile
I say excited reggae
A lot better than the mozzarella stick meme would have you believe.
But that's my favorite explanation of it!
Jamaican Jazz
Dude, you got downvoted, but I picked you back up. Early Ska did come from American Jazz, so I support your response as true. Perhaps not the best, but true, and not deserving of a downvote.
It's definitely a generalization and something that would piss off both ska guys and jazz guys (which I count myself as both)
Yeah don't mind my jazz degree screaming in the corner there
pickituppickituppickituppickitup
Reggae with trumpets/horns
If it's 3rd wave, then punk with horns is the go-to meme, but there's some truth to it.
I usually start by saying most people associate it with white dudes with side burns and Hawaiian shirts playing trumpets but it's really the precursor to reggae and originated in early 60s Jamaica
I always described it as a cross between punk/reggae/jazz. God Bless Ska!
If they understand music I give them textbook definition of having rhythms accentuated in the off-beat, if they dont, I call it ‘quick reggae with horns’
Punk mariachi
Honestly, I’m so proud of this comment section and its lack of mozzarella sticks.
I had a coworker say, “ska is the kind of music a 12 year old in the 90s hears in their head when they are told they can get pizza *and* mozzarella sticks for dinner, the guys can sleep over, and there are 4 controllers to play Golden Eye.” I didn’t feel like it was the most inaccurate description of it.
Four factory New SONY controllers.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ssssshhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiit. *Aquabats emerge*
"Imagine if reggae and punk had a baby, and they dressed it all in two-tone"
Except ska is actually reggae & punk's grandma lol
Yeah I know but it's not as well known and modern ska tends to sound like a fusion of those genres
The way I would describe ska punk specifically to someone who doesn't know what it is I would say You know what punk is right? Now imagine if we mix 2tone and Jamaica ska and we merge both together
The music a 14 year old hears in his head when his mom tells him she’s making his favorite for dinner!
Yeah! Bagel Bites! Thanks, mom! "So here I am, growing older all the time..."
I laughed my ass off the first time I heard someone else describe it that way.
If ska was purely 90's third wave Tony Hawk vibes I would ageee, but I feel like that POV minimizes how vast the genre is.
“It’s happy music”
reggae but faster and with elements of american jazz and rock
“You remember that one Mighty Mighty Bosstones song from the mid 90s”?
Reggae meets punk
The most fun you can have while sitting in traffic.
I usually refer people to Livin La Vida Loca as a reference that they’ve almost definitely heard before. The other story i stick to is that it’s Reggae before the Ganja took over.
I used to ask people what is the punk music that sounds like jumping no one could ever figure out what I was talking about until I gave them an example yeah it is kinda hard to explain
All these cheesesticks comments are making me hungry 😩
Like reggae but for white ppl 😆😉😂🤦🏽lol na I'm js playing...seriously tho.
"fast reggae" even though raggae is slow ska
Jamaican reggae infused with northern Chicago soul
Similar to pop punk but with horns, has had multiple waves with both serious political content in some and goofy skater music in other waves.
America funniest home videos music
Imagine polka or conjuto *as if it were* pioneered by a teenage Bob Marley and The Wailers, had horns instead of accordion, and was more generally more uptempo.
Tell them it goes one step beyond.
Fast Reggae
Punk but with sax and trumpet
Reggae and punk had a baby and gave it a horn section
Punk with horns /s
It’s a long conversation but, it’s essentially Fast paced Reggae.. the sub genre of Ska changes as the beat gets faster. Types of Ska are not limited to Rocksteady, 2tone, 3rd wave, Ska-Punk, Skacore amongst others. Also, it can be blended with others genres as well.
I wait till we're In traffic and people are honking at us, then I look at them and say "now imagine that with drums and some dorks dancing around"
If Calypso and Blues had a baby, then gave it to Punk and Jazz to raise
Ska is like punk with horns, but with checkers.
Jamaican style combination of be-bop, rock and roll, doo-wop, pop, swing, rhythm and blues, country and rockabilly.
Just tell them to give it a listen it won't take long for them to pick it up pick it up pick it up
One of the funnier ways I have heard it explained is as the music a 15 year old boy hears when he gets free mozzarella sticks.
Dance music for punk rockers
Horns, lots of horns
Jazz, punk, reggae mixed together
'Nothing but a modern off-shoot of Reggae, updated white rock influences. Definitely upbeat. It'll never become really popular, because even though they've made the back beat more conventional, it's still too exotic for mass acceptance.' [(source…)](https://youtu.be/mJGbFcC8pbw?si=oc9AtDX2r8jRyP_U)
That quote's actually from Police Squad. Shoeshine Johnny is great 😂
Yes!
The feeling you get as a kid when you get extra mozzarella sticks.
Punk rock but upbeat with a horn section
Fast reggae. ETA: the reggae fans are on downvote brigade!
This is what I say to people.
Bob Marley but with cocaine and a horn section.
“you know reggae? now imagine if it was made by a white pothead in his early 30s”
Nah that just sounds like Fortunate Youth lol
upbeat punk music with horns
The best of it is similar to reggae, but with more horns. The worst of it is nervous, goofy pop punk with horns and an upbeat borrowed from reggae.
Its like punk but feels………… happier
Sex in the mouth!
I assure you. That feels WAY different.
punk for virgins polka but somehow less cool reggae for white people if jazz was a saturday morning cartoon
Haha that’s my favorite description yet!
Bouncy
Does this person know what reggae is?
SKANGA SKANGA SKANGA
Faster reggae with punk influences
Reggae on crack
I say it’s like punk rock but with brass
If punk and reggae had a baby
its like reggae if you with held its thorazine and gave it a chain wallet.
Terrible music for 12 year old boys that should have been abolished shortly after it was introduced
Fast reggae.
Typically I just start making horn sounds with my mouth.
trumpet music
It’s the music that plays in a toddlers head when they are eating ice cream
Reggae but slow…if they don’t know just say dancy beach music
White dudes trying to make reggae with a little punk thrown in.
Pop punk with trumpets.
I usually say it's like Pop-punk with a horn section.