There are many similarities between ska music and reggae music. They both came out of Jamaica, they both use the same type of instrumentation, and they both even use similar playing techniques. Ska and reggae are virtually the same genre, but differ only in one small detail: speed. While ska music is a fast-paced type of dance music, reggae takes a much slower tempo to create a real mellow atmosphere.

It's up to you to decide which style you like better. If you usually want to move your feet and get excited really fast, you'd definitely prefer ska. On the other hand, if you just want to mellow out for a while, reggae would be the way to go. Of course, you don't need to choose between the two. Many ska fans listen to reggae, and vice versa. After all, if you keep dancing to ska, pretty soon you'll be exhausted, and if you continuously listen to reggae, you could get really lazy. You may find that switching between the two genres will not only keep you awake, but will better prepare you for the same message that ska and reggae offer.

If you're still not convinced that ska and reggae are worth trying out, consider this. No other genre in the history of popular music has become more political, more controversial, more outspoken, or more emotional than the music of ska and reggae. While certain ska and reggae songs are meant simply to be uplifting and entertaining, others speak out very clearly against oppressive forces, call for revolution, and stand for true justice for all people.

In fact, it was this aspect of ska and reggae that traveled over seas to England, triggering their punk movement in the late seventies. When punk was just starting out, punk bands covered reggae songs when there was no punk music of their own to play.  Today's ska and reggae music may be a little different than what it was in the past. They have gained a few new sounds and influences, and have now become much more global with artists from all different nationalities. But its overall style and aggressive ideology remains as strong as ever.