Two Tone

Two-Tone Records (or 2 Tone Records) was created in Coventry, UK in 1978 by Jerry Dammers. Dammers, the songwriter and music director for bands The Specials and The Special A.K.A, also served as the Chief Executive of the label. He signed artists such as Madness, The Selecter, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers.

Dammers grew up in The Midlands area of The UK during the late 1960s/early 70s and became influenced by Jamaican Ska Music. This influence was a result of cultural changes due to immigration in cities like Birmingham and Coventry. Most of the 2 Tone artists were from this area, with Madness being an exception from North London.

The label's early releases included classics like 'Gangsters', 'The Prince' (a tribute to Prince Buster), 'On My Radio', 'Too Much Too Young', and their most famous release 'Ghost Town'. Contrary to popular belief, 'Ghost Town' was not a criticism of racial tension on a national scale but rather aimed at thuggery within Coventry. Many of The Specials' songs reflected life in Coventry.

The success of Two-Tone Records was led by The Specials who released a self-titled LP in 1979. However, internal conflicts among artists signed to the label and cultural changes within British society eventually led to its collapse in