Mento Music
Mento is Jamaica’s original sound—a vibrant, storytelling-driven genre that laid the foundation for the island’s rich musical heritage. Born in the late 19th century, Mento blends African rhythms, European folk influences, and Caribbean spirit to create a uniquely Jamaican style of music.
Characterized by lighthearted lyrics, acoustic instruments, and infectious rhythms, Mento tells the stories of everyday life, weaving humor, social commentary, and island folklore into its melodies. Traditional instruments like the banjo, rhumba box, and maracas give Mento its signature sound—one that is lively, warm, and irresistibly danceable.
Before ska, rocksteady, and reggae, there was Mento. It influenced generations of Jamaican musicians and continues to be celebrated today, both on the island and globally. Whether performed in small rural gatherings or on international stages, Mento remains a symbol of Jamaica’s creativity, resilience, and joy.
Explore the rhythms, stories, and history of Mento—Jamaica’s first soundtrack by watching the video below.
The Museum
This museum serves as a representation of Jamaican heritage, culture and its history. It is a labor of love aiming to continue a legacy of learning, participating and performing in the cultural arts.
As children Jamaicans learn folk songs and dances to perform at annually held cultural celebrations, backed by a Mento beat. And as a family Jamaicans share stories of learning songs like Linstead Market, and dances like Brukkins between generational peels of laughter.
The ultimate goal of this museum is to educate, but it also represents the cultural preservation of Jamaican music, rhythm and heritage.
Heritage is the result of a selection process. It is not everything from our history – heritage and history are not one and the same. The aim of heritage is to pass on this selection of things with their values intact and in authentic condition.
⏤William Logan
