1950s

Radio Jamaica (RJR) begins broadcasting, bringing music into Jamaican homes nationwide. Radio proves essential to breaking new artists, spreading sound-system recordings, and building the audience that made ska and reggae national — then global — phenomena.

In 1951 Stanley Motta opened the first Jamaican recording studio on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston where he began to cut mento sides by local artists. The studio released records on his Motta's Recording Studio label.

In 1954 Ken Khouri started Jamaica's first record label, "Federal Records".

Harry Belafonte recorded "Day-O" (later changed to "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)") for RCA Victor on this date in 1955.

"My Boy Lollipop" was originally released by Barbie Gaye in late 1956. Millie Small released a cover of the song in March 1964 which was a massive hit, reaching number two both in the UK Singles Chart and in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Laurel Aitken's first recording was 'Roll Jordan Roll' voiced in 1957 for Caribbean Distributing. It sounded similar to ska but it had a more spiritual feeling. In fact, it was recorded long before Coxsone and Duke Reid started recordings of ska. The song can be found on Aitken's album ' The Story So Far'

King Tubby formed his own sound system 'Tubby's Home-Town Hi-Fi' in 1958. It was famed for its high quality and innovation.

Possibly, the first ska single was "Little Sheila" by Laurel Aitken, recorded in 1958.

Joe Higgs and Roy Wilson's "Oh Manny Oh" (1958) produced by former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Edward Seaga, was one of the first records to be pressed in Jamaica and went on to sell 50,000 copies.

Nicky Thomas' first hint of success came with the release of 1959 "Run Nigel Run" produced by veteran singer Derrick Harriott and credited to The Chuckles.

Byron Lee presenting former Prime Minister Edward Seaga with a copy of the group's 1959 album 'Dumplings', which Seaga produced. Dumplings was Byron Lee's first song which was an instant hit

Byron Lee is known to have introduced the electric bass guitar to Jamaica in late 1959. The bass guitar soon gained popularity throughout the country and became the standard. The electric bass' louder, clearer, and more 'in your face' sound soon changed the entire sound of Jamaican music entirely, especially after Skatalites bassist Lloyd Brevett took a liking to it.