Jamaican Skanking (Dance) Information, Videos, & Comments

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision: October 8, 2022

This pancocojams post presents some information, videos, and comments about Jamaican skanking (dance forms).

The Addendum to this post presents a video of an American ska punk band which includes examples of ska punk skanking. This video is showcased as a means of comparing one example of that dance form with several examples of Jamaican skanking.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, spiritual, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I was motivated to find out information about skanking after reading this comment in the discussion thread for a video of Barrington Levy's song "Too Experienced" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBDhHZRmMW4
Kolussus, 2019
"No matter what mood I am in whenever I hear this song I get up and skank."
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Although I had seen this dance performed (in videos), I didn't know what it was called before looking up the information found in this post and watching these videos.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SKANKING
Update: April 4, 2019
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Skanking/2754#.XKX48phKi70
"Skanking
Definition
A form of dancing originating in Jamaica, now most notably done in Ska/Reggae shows.

Example Sentences
Patois: Yuh saw dat bwoy skanking to dis [riddim]?
English: Have you seen this boy dancing to the beat?

Related Words*
Wine, Daggering, Bubble, Dutty wine

posted by Greenllabel on February 26, 2017
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*These related words are other forms of Jamaican dances.
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End of April 4, 2019 Update

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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skank_(dance)
"Skanking is a form of dancing practiced in the ska, ska punk, hardcore punk, reggae, jump-up (a drum and bass subgenre) and other music scenes.

The dance style originated in the 1950s or 1960s at Jamaican dance halls, where ska music was played.[1] Ska music has a prominent backbeat played by the electric guitar on beats two and four of a 4/4 bar of music. When ska became popular amongst British mods and skinheads of the 1960s, these UK youth adopted these types of dances and altered them. The dancing style was revived during the 1970s and 1980s 2 Tone era, and has been adopted by some individuals in the hardcore punk subculture.

Types
Originally, skanking consisted of a “running man” motion of the legs to the beat while alternating bent-elbow fist-punches, left and right.[1] Over time, variations emerged. The punk version features a sharp striking out look with the arms, and is sometimes used in moshing to knock around others doing the same. However, this is rarely seen as an act of true aggression but rather a consensual release of emotion.

This rough appearance tends to lead to negative stereotypes of violence, though they are rare at best and almost never tolerated by venue operators, bands, or other audience members. While the flailing, swinging, and pushing may appear dangerous, there is almost always a conscious effort by each dancer in the 'pit' to refrain from actually striking or hurting each other. Additionally, should any one person trip and fall, others in the group tend to avoid trampling them, or even help them to get back up.

The style, speed, and moves used when skanking are as diverse as the music it is performed to, usually dictated by its rhythm and genre. For example, the skanking done at a reggae concert would typically be slower and more restrained than the skanking done at a hardcore punk show. An example of this is the lighter style known as 'stroll' which has become popularized by American ska-punk bands, mainly Big D and the Kids Table. In this style, dancers tend to 'stroll' in a circle around the center 'pit' while rhythmically swaying from side to side with arms bent and marching in sync to the music."...

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Update: April 4, 2019 [4:20 PM] - EXAMPLES OF THE WORD "SKANK" AND "SKANKING" IN TWO BOB MARLEY SONGS
The word "skank" is found in the lyrics for the Bob Marley song "Lively Up Yourself." That song is featured in Marley's 1973 album Natty Dread:

[excerpt] ..."Hey, you rock so, you rock so, like you never did before
You dip so, you dip so, and you can dip through my door
You come so, you come so, oh yeah, like I do adore you
You skank so, you skank so, and-a I can assure you"...

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/8433/

The word "skanking" is also the title for and part of the lyrics for the Bob Marley song "Easy Skanking" that is included in his 1978 album Kaya.

[excerpt] ... "Take it easy, easy skanking
Got to take it easy, easy skanking
Take it easy, easy skanking
Got to take it easy, easy skanking"...

https://genius.com/Bob-marley-and-the-wailers-easy-skanking-lyrics
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end of April 4, 2019 4:10 PM update

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS

These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest published video given first.
 
Video #1: Jamaica Skank



mightymikea69, Published on Feb 7, 2009
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:

1.dman6442, 2009
"It's like the precursor for the Heel-Toe. And that's how you skank it easy"...

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2. Reggie Cameron, 2011
"Thanks for this I'v e been looking everywhere for this type of dance. Its a shame if we don't document these dances all this stuff will be lost forever."

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3. Meursault40, 2011
"I love how there is a woman obliviously cooking in the background. LOL. Thanks for posting this . . . been looking for traditional Jamaican skanking . ."

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4. Chettaman12, 2011
"It's amazing to see how the British (white boys) have totally destroyed skanking. What they do makes it look like a dance that they are mad at themselves about something. LOL. This vid is tight. Real skanking."

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REPLY
5. elgrano, 2012
"Well, at least they support it and keep the sound alive today while paying respect to the originators. Because today, on the island it originated from, they won't listen to it as it's "grandpa's music."

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REPLY
6. : o ), 2012
"Music get's old man, no reason to be all bitter and weird about it. The world does not need people keeping 3rd wave ska alive lol."

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7. daone billygunnz, 2013
"skank the night away! hahahah"

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8. KingKoopaXIII, 2014
"Diggen the Song, anyone know it?"

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REPLY
9. Eric Iverson, 2014
"it's a remake of The Specials song "You're wondering now" dunno by who though!"

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REPLY
10. amancalledlime, 2016
"Would really love to know who did this version ....little slower than the original...any ideas????"

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REPLY
11. Lemõn Jellõ, 2016
"amancalledlimey George and Lisa Banton"

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12. Litseen Pookie, 2016
"this is real skanking"

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13. Gomila Droogies, 2017
"A bit different to how we skinheads do it, looks cool though, happy skankin!"

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14. AL N MC BEE, 2017
"wey di kick it breadda- Wicked madd skanking- Respeck!!"

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15. Tiffany Graham, 2018
"2:05 Hahahah if you have Jamaican parents you know!"

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16. leftylimbo, 2018
"Long time style man ...original skanking! 👍🏾👊🏾💥💀"

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17. WARRIOR STEPPA, 2018
"True Champion here...this man showing the proper way to dance to ska, feeling the beat while shuffling your feet!!!"

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18. Jessefresh909 Morales, 2019
"Cheers to u sir!! 🍻🍻🍻 true skanking! True rudeboy!💛💛👌👌👌👌👌👌"

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Video #2: Jamaican Skanking



Chris Jones, April 26, 2017
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Here are three comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:

1. Island RAW, 2017
"yeah man skanking bless king"

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2.  MeVoy RBG365, 2020
"Jamaicans turn the party up to 1000 no matter where they go. Papi is ole school skanking"

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3. Marsha D, 2021
"Only a Jamaican...can skank, have good vibes, bring energy, feeling irie no matter what problems and situations they are facing.."

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Video #3: How Jamaicans Dance to Bob Marley & Other Reggae Music | EpicwowMoments

Epic Wow Moments, Sep 6, 2018 In Jamaica you will always have a fun time!
Music: Bob Marley & The Wailers: #1 Natural Mystics; #2 Rastaman Live Up
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only: 

1. Danny Selvey, 2020
"Brilliant dance loving the wobbly leg"

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2. Tinette Izdash!t, 2021
"I love skyankin'! Skyank wit mi red stripe & spliff. Boss! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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3. Queenie bee, 2021
"Gwannn rasta 🇯🇲"

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4, a1lover78, 2022
"Rasta have footworks for days ."

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5. JOSCHKA HURST, 2022
"YES I, This is epic a ranking yard style."

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ADDENDUM: Reel Big Fish - Don't Stop Skankin

Rock Ridge Music. Published on Feb 6, 2013

From the new album "Candy Coated Fury"
-snip-
Here's information about this band from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel_Big_Fish
"Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Orange County, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band lost mainstream recognition but gained an underground cult following. As of 2006, the band is no longer signed to a major record label, and has since been independent. After many line-up changes throughout the years, front man Aaron Barrett is the only remaining founding member in the band.

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