Derrick Morgan, a key figure in the first wave of Jamaican ska, emerged alongside pioneers like the Skatalites, Laurel Aitken, and Prince Buster. Born in 1940 in Kingston, he quickly rose to fame with hits like "Fat Man" and "Housewives' Choice," becoming the unrivaled King of Ska by 1960. Morgan's innovative contributions to music included pioneering rocksteady with "Tougher Than Tough" in 1966 and producing talents like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. Despite health issues in the late '70s, he continued recording and performing, remaining a significant figure in Jamaican music.

Throughout his career, Derrick Morgan made lasting contributions to Jamaican music, from early ska hits to pioneering rocksteady with "Tougher Than Tough" in 1966. He produced talents like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Garnet Silk, shaping the reggae landscape. Despite health challenges in the late '70s, Morgan continued to record and perform, remaining influential in Jamaican music circles. In 2017, Radiation Roots Records reissued his 1977 reggae album "People Decision," showcasing his enduring impact on the genre.