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Modern Dancehall isn't a thing

An easy guide to Caribbean Music

By Kenesta HopePublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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It makes me mad when I go to Apple Music and see Soca music identified as "Modern Dancehall." No offence to Apple, but I'm offended.

In light of this I've decided to create a quick and easy "How to Identify different types of carribean music" list - for anyone curious but not too certain where to start.

Calypso

This is the one your grandparents probably knew (and mine love). Lord Kitchener, writer of the iconic 'London is the place for me" song made famous by his reditious as he steps off of the SS Windrush. Calypso Music comes from the South of the Caribbean and it's usually a little wimsical, tending to use trumpets, steel-pan. For the musical types, there tends to be a 4/4 time syncopation and often it uses three beat rythms with two long beaths followed by a short beat. "Pan in A minor" was a recolutionary song when it came out, creating something new for the genre.

Soca

Soca is a more modern form of calypso. In my opinion, this is the music you'd most likely hear at Carnival time. Others disagree, but I'm right. Soca actually stands for the Soul of Calypso. Usually soca music has a faster tempo, than Calypso and tends to have a more soulful sound. Usually there's a heavier beat with a four on floor bass drumb pattern and a syncopated bass line. Note the following song by Kes the Band starts with a Calypso-esk tune and then turns more towards Soca. People tend to whine to this music.

Chutney

Not only a delicious dipping for your pappadums. Chutney music is an Indo-Caribbean genre of music. This type of music is usually found in areas with a large Indo-carribbean population such as Trinidad and Tobago. This tends to be a mixture of Bhojpuri music and Soca, thus tends to be up tempo but is accompanied by traditional indian instuments like tassas and dholaks.

Parang

This type of music is usually played during and around Christmas. It was initially brought to Trinidad and Tobago by venezuelan migrants who were native (amerindian), spanish, mestizo and african. (among other things). Ususally you'll hear alot of. "rrrs and aye aye ayes" in this type of music.

Reggae

This is the one you probably know already. This music comes from 'Mento' music that was born in Jamaica. Usually, this music makes use of electric guitars, keyboards and tends to be very bass heavy. This is the most popular type of caribbean music. It became popular internationally in the 1970's due to the amazing Bob Marley. Notice the slower tempo, it's more feel good, chill vibe.

Dancehall

This has replaced Reggae in many Caribbean countries, in the same way Calypso has been replaced by Soca. It is considered to be the precessor of rap music. Dancehall is more dynamic than reggae - you can dance to it at a party. People tend to duttywine to this music. Recently there's been alot of discussion on Caribbean twitter over whether Dancehall should be allowed in Carnival celebrations. They shouldn't. I've decided. I'm in charge here. We leave the dancehall out of Carnival.

Reggaeton

This music developed from Dancehall in the 90's but, as it originated in the spanish speaking Puerto Rico, it tends to be Spanish. This music tends to make use of Spanish Guitars. This is dance music, it's more upbeat and usually is heard mainly northern Countries. (but we listen to it everywhere!)

Zouk

This music originated in Guadeloupe and Martinique, thus music in sung in French. It tends to have an African Rythem, but blends reggae, calypso and electronic dance. It's usually uptempo, but a little lower and sexier than the other types of music discussed. When you hear Zouk music, you Zouk (a type of dance). Zouk dancing uses alot of core strength and a belly to belly connection (I've been told).

Bachata

This type of music originated in the Spanish Caribbean isles of the Dominican Republic, thus is sung in Spanish. It's become popular in Latin America recently. This music started off a bit more sad and slow but has tranformed into more upbeat, electronic sounds. Usually Bachata is slower than typical Salsa music, and so tends to be a little raunchier.

That's all for now folks!

Music in the Caribbean is so diverse due to the large and varied make-up of the Caribbean population. Every region tends to have their own style of music (for the most part), with their own style and expression. Trinidadian Soca will always be different to Grenadian Soca - but they're both great!

In addition, there are way more - too many to list here! So if you're ever stuck for something to listen to, why not try out something new - just as long as you call it by the right thing and not 'modern dancehall'.

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About the Creator

Kenesta Hope

I'm an aspiring journalist and writer who is passionate about culture, food and social analysis and debate.

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