#MusicBreakThread

In 1967 Prince Buster, one of the first reggae artists, recorded Judge Dread. It's also famous as one of the first recorded instances of the term "rude boy," still in usage to refer to criminals today.

It's a funny and raw song.

In 1979 as a renewed interest in Prince Buster & Desmond Dekker, who were street performing rivals in 60s Jamaica, hit England, The Clash released London Calling which included Rudie Can't Fail, popularizing the term Rude Boy in modern music.

Also in 1979 an English ska revival band The Specials recorded A Message To You Rudy. By the early 80s this music had crossed the ocean as part of the "alternative" sound, though these bands were featured in many teen movies at the time.

I LOVE this one.

Some artists, like trumpet player Baba Brooks, actually WERE rude boys and left that scene for the relatively safer street reggae scene of 60s Jamaica. It was competitive, and gang like. An interesting parallel to the genre's later popularity with punks.

Rihanna, a consummate musician of enormous talent, took her turn at rude boy history as well in her 2009 song Rude Boy. The video is not only an homage to the rude boy sound but Jamaica & it's long Ethiopian connections.

Judge Dread was Ethiopian too.

I hope y'all enjoyed this little mini music history lesson. To close I'll keep with the ska/reggae thing with a favorite of mine, a cover of Smokey Robinson's Tears Of a Clown, by The English Beat.

Okay I decided I couldn't just give y'all the A side of that 45. Ranking Full Stop, featured in a few John Hughes movies, is one of the more danceable 80s ska tunes around. So clear a bit of space, put on some slick shoes and have a good dance.
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