Is reggae a mixture of mento ska and rock steady?

Yes, reggae is indeed a musical genre that evolved from earlier Jamaican styles, including mento, ska, and rocksteady. Mento, with its folk roots, laid some foundational elements, while ska introduced a faster tempo and rhythmic style. Rocksteady then slowed down the tempo and emphasized the bass line, which became a defining characteristic of reggae. This evolution reflects the blending of these genres to create the distinct sound of reggae that emerged in the late 1960s.