I decided to post this brief historical summary about bachata because I recently read a comment (and several by a poster) about bachata and exclusively referring to it as "chopo" music. Although this may be true all music has a history and in my esteem the history of bachata is very interesting. I think it is important especially for those who are just discovering this genre to understand and not solely be influenced by its stigmas (that is if you do enjoy bachata). I am currently re-reading Deborah Pacini Hernandez' Bachata: A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music. If I missed any detail that is important rest assured I will do a follow up post.
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Aqu? tienen un breve resumen de su historia:
Bachata or m?sica de amargue in simple terms is a tropical rhythm (some say bolero based) unique to the Dominican Republic whose principal instrument is the requinto guitar. From a historical and social perspective this music was scorned by the upper and middle classes and typically associated with the lower class and others categorized in that social category. Although bachata recently gained popularity inside and outside of the Dominican Republic, the rhythm dates back to era of the Trujillo and was suppressed due to its associations. By associations I mean its lyrics, "who" typically listened to bachata and “where”. The lyrics were offensive against women, celebrated sexual encounters, described typically el sentimiento de un macho and was mostly heard in bars and colmados in Sto. Domingo. Bachata remained low key, exclusive and associated with one class until Juan Luis Guerra y su banda 4.40 produced what is described as bachata fina. Bachata with refined lyrics and rhythms, which was better accepted by the masses thus allowing for some diffusion in the Dominican Republic.
On an international level I would say the presence and popularity of bachata began to spread in the mid 90's and reached its peak in popularity in 2001/2002. Some claim that bachata groups like Aventura fuelled the spread with their hybrid form of bachata thus reaching out to younger and international audiences. Others may say it's attributed to the talent of great local artists like Frank Reyes, Joe Veras, and Zacarias Ferreira and other modern day performers. I purposely define them as modern day artists because in my opinion the true credit goes to those who kept the genre alive in the DR in the face of heavy discrimination, which undoubtedly paved the way for contemporary artists to produce bachata and to take the stage now. Having said this I classify some of the pillars of this music to be: Luis Segura ("el rey del bolero antillano"), Antony Santos (the one and only "Mayimbe"), Raulin Rodr?guez (a true "Cacique del amargue") and Luis Vargas, "el soberano" (although he is not one of my favorites). Also these artists are classified in street terms as los matatanes de la bachata. In my opinion bachata is like any other music when comes to preferences. Social stigma aside whether you like or not it is strictly due to tastes. All bachata music is not the same. It comes in many forms/styles i.e. “bachata fina”, “bachata del pueblo”, “bachata rom?ntica” and yes even “bachata Spanglish”.
Surely in the DR the class stigma associated with bachata is still prevalent but I do have an opinion that some of you may understand regarding the stigma. I truly believe that all music has a “sub-culture” that is associated with it. In the case of bachata the perception is: beber una cerveza y jugar al domin? en un colmado pero no se aplica a todos nosotros. Unfortunately, that image is promoted, seen frequently and therefore engrained in many people’s mind when they think of bachata music but there are many of us who like bachata for the simple appreciation of the rhythm and in many cases its heart wrenching lyrics. It’s ironic however; now that bachata has reached its highest level of popularity ever merengue has slowly been sold to the Puerto Ricans (a good theme for another thread). If bachata is what will keep the DR rhythms alive and on the map at the present time then so be it.
Believe it or not but…la bachata se ha renovado y lo bueno es que es un ritmo netamente dominicano.
-Lesley D
Sobre gustos y colores no hay nada escrito.
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Aqu? tienen un breve resumen de su historia:
Bachata or m?sica de amargue in simple terms is a tropical rhythm (some say bolero based) unique to the Dominican Republic whose principal instrument is the requinto guitar. From a historical and social perspective this music was scorned by the upper and middle classes and typically associated with the lower class and others categorized in that social category. Although bachata recently gained popularity inside and outside of the Dominican Republic, the rhythm dates back to era of the Trujillo and was suppressed due to its associations. By associations I mean its lyrics, "who" typically listened to bachata and “where”. The lyrics were offensive against women, celebrated sexual encounters, described typically el sentimiento de un macho and was mostly heard in bars and colmados in Sto. Domingo. Bachata remained low key, exclusive and associated with one class until Juan Luis Guerra y su banda 4.40 produced what is described as bachata fina. Bachata with refined lyrics and rhythms, which was better accepted by the masses thus allowing for some diffusion in the Dominican Republic.
On an international level I would say the presence and popularity of bachata began to spread in the mid 90's and reached its peak in popularity in 2001/2002. Some claim that bachata groups like Aventura fuelled the spread with their hybrid form of bachata thus reaching out to younger and international audiences. Others may say it's attributed to the talent of great local artists like Frank Reyes, Joe Veras, and Zacarias Ferreira and other modern day performers. I purposely define them as modern day artists because in my opinion the true credit goes to those who kept the genre alive in the DR in the face of heavy discrimination, which undoubtedly paved the way for contemporary artists to produce bachata and to take the stage now. Having said this I classify some of the pillars of this music to be: Luis Segura ("el rey del bolero antillano"), Antony Santos (the one and only "Mayimbe"), Raulin Rodr?guez (a true "Cacique del amargue") and Luis Vargas, "el soberano" (although he is not one of my favorites). Also these artists are classified in street terms as los matatanes de la bachata. In my opinion bachata is like any other music when comes to preferences. Social stigma aside whether you like or not it is strictly due to tastes. All bachata music is not the same. It comes in many forms/styles i.e. “bachata fina”, “bachata del pueblo”, “bachata rom?ntica” and yes even “bachata Spanglish”.
Surely in the DR the class stigma associated with bachata is still prevalent but I do have an opinion that some of you may understand regarding the stigma. I truly believe that all music has a “sub-culture” that is associated with it. In the case of bachata the perception is: beber una cerveza y jugar al domin? en un colmado pero no se aplica a todos nosotros. Unfortunately, that image is promoted, seen frequently and therefore engrained in many people’s mind when they think of bachata music but there are many of us who like bachata for the simple appreciation of the rhythm and in many cases its heart wrenching lyrics. It’s ironic however; now that bachata has reached its highest level of popularity ever merengue has slowly been sold to the Puerto Ricans (a good theme for another thread). If bachata is what will keep the DR rhythms alive and on the map at the present time then so be it.
Believe it or not but…la bachata se ha renovado y lo bueno es que es un ritmo netamente dominicano.
-Lesley D
Sobre gustos y colores no hay nada escrito.
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