Merengue de Calle (Mambo)

For those of you that don't have a clue here's your chance to get one. Recently Acroarte, and the Cassandra's denied an appeal by some Dominican artists to include a new genre into the awards ceremony. The "genre" as it is claimed, is Merengue de Calle or Mambo. As was expected Mambo, and Dominican Rap (who was also vying for some form of recognition) was denied entry into the show. Some have said that this new sound emerging from the streets of Santo Domingo isn't music or that its just vulgar trashy sounds with no real musical values. Proponents however argue that the music represents Dominicans, the culture, the poor people who listen to it and they say that to recognize the music is to recognize the importance of the people who create and listen to the music (i.e lower class Dominicans). So should Mambo have its own category in the Cassandra's? Does the Cassandra's and in turn upper Dominicans society turn its back on poorer Dominicans (this is an argument about class) when it doesn't recognize this genre?

For some of you this might be something totally new, and for some of you the concept of Mambo is irrelevant, so unless you have something important to say please don't comment. And even if you don't like the music, the underlying argument is what's important. Still, I feel there is a subtle argument about class here that I'd like to get some opinions on.

And for your reading pleasure (in Spanish) here are some articles:

Merengue de Calle (Listin Diario)

Blog that includes more articles about Mambo

No. Merengue de Calle (Mambo) (or even called Merengue Urbano) is something different. Its more vulgar, explicit high paced and rhythmic. Its more "barrio" if that makes it clearer. The thing with it is that its more raw and the beats are more simplistic. Here is Omega the most popular "Mambero" on the scene right now. The song is called Alante Alante.

Sorry. Wrong link. Here you go...

Wow, thank you for disregarding the parameters of the conversation. Funnyyale and Squat. Your personal distaste for the music is not what's important. I'll disregard your comments and childish and without merit. Just because you don't like the genre you can't discount its validity. I think country music "sucks" but they get awards. Some thing bachata/grunge/rap etc suck, but they get awards. Anyone else with something smart to say.

Mkohn...I don't know the real reason they call it "Mambo" as opposed to some other genres that share the name, but from experiences I know the word mambo has a certain connotation in Dominican culture. Its a bit hard to explain what mambo means per se, but it connotes what you would call "swing." Its like style and exuberance. Its to do something well and with style. And in the musical sense its real electric and could make you want to dance.

Still, you are right Merengue has changed and Mambo might not reflect traditional Dominican merengues, but it is popular at the moment and has been popular for some time now. I don't know if you know Spanish, or what your level of Spanish is, but there is a creativeness in the lyrics that is lost on some listeners. The rhymes and the vocabulary is completely "barrio" and it reflects barrio culture, to a degree (i.e the words they use and the slang terms). Yes, the song might glorify money and girls and etc etc, but I mean the content in many genres of music is questionable these days.

This style of music is fun and happy. The point, if you listen carefully, is to not worry about the daily problems you deal with. And as for references to carnal pleasures in merengue: that's what a variety of artists allude to in their music anyway. That's part of the sound, they just aren't as explicit about it.

And yes country music started their own awards, but look at the size of the US and the size of the American music industry. It'd be to difficult to copy and paste that format and have success here.

As for Squat, you must be a psychic because after one simple comment you can determine my geographical location? Riiiiiight!!! I live near Manoguayabo...Mambo blaring all day every day...On the bus home, that's what the bus driver plays. On the bus to work, that's all they play. At the colmado, at the gym, at the mechanic and everywhere I go, they play Mambo. Who says you don't have a choice? Don't like it? Leave. And just because you can't see the importance of something doesn't make it idiotic, it might just make you ignorant.

Yeah, Margaret there is a lot of Merengue de Calle out there that isn't about money, guns and girls. And what you said about the commodity is true. Unfortunate, but true. Still, what I think is that these genres are important and need to be highlighted as they reflect what "real Dominican" society is about. It might not all be positive and high class, but its real. But at the same time maybe that's why they don't highlight it since it goes contrary to the "image" they want to portray.

And Suarezn got it right. Its hard to explain Mambo, or even like it, if you ain't got no mambo in you. Jajaj. By the way Omega rules....