Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. It combines elements of Caribbean mento, R&B, and punk rock, and features a strong horn section. Ska music is typically divided into three periods: the original Jamaican scene of the 1960s, the 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s in Britain, and third wave ska, which involved bands from a wide range of countries around the world, in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Ska punk is a fusion genre that mixes ska music and punk rock music together. It is closely tied to third wave ska, which reached its zenith in the mid-1990s. Ska punk often features wind instruments, especially horns such as saxophones, trombones, and trumpets, making the genre distinct from other forms of punk rock.

Instruments used in ska music have been quite consistent throughout its varied history. Apart from the standard bass, guitar, drums, keyboard, and vocal lineup shared with most popular music from the 1950s to today, a strong horn section features prominently in many bands. Ska guitarists contribute by playing on the off-beats, creating the bouncy rhythm that ska music is known for.

Some of the most popular ska bands include Sublime, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and No Doubt.