The music of the Dominican Republic is passionate, with its origins in swift acoustic beats. The history of the country has had a significant role in the global popularity of the Merengue, a folk music genre native to the Dominican. Bachata, Dominican Rock and Reggaeton are also popular, with their roots deeply embedded in the culture of the region. The music of the Dominican Republic is closely entwined with its close neighbor, Haiti.
Merengue
Ironically, the name of this music and dance is taken from the dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar: meringue (note the difference in spelling). It is not clear what the relation is between the two, other than they are both Spanish words.
Merengue is a fairly new genre of fold music, created by a Dominican musician in the 1920′s. It grew in popularity among the poorer classes of society, especially when the dictator Rafael Trujillo came to power in 1930. He promoted the Merengue as the Dominican’s national music and dance style, giving it international fame. Trujillo himself came from a modest home, never being allowed to mix with the sophisticates or gain entry to social clubs. When he came to power, he took the opportunity to use the Merengue as a symbol of the poorer populace. The lyrical nature of merengue had always been about love lost, hardship and the working life. Now the songs took on a political voice for Trujillo, praising his influence and the work of his party. After his assassination in 1961, the Merengue subject matter went back to love, loss and hardship. Towards the end of the 20th century, the Merengue began to take on influences from salsa and rock, incorporating electric keyboards and guitars. The architecture of the songs remained as call and response but grew in their technical makeup. Many modern artists tried to bring merengue to the mainstream but failed, most likely due to the traditionally naughty lyrics.
Bachata
Bachata music originated in the countryside and poor rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. The lyrics are romantic, with stories of heartbreak and despair. Like Merengue, Bachata developed around the beginning of the 20th century and used traditional Latin rhythms and guitar. Now Bachata groups include lead, rhythm and bass guitars, bongo drums and the guira (metal cylinder punched with holes and beaten with a stiff brush, producing a sound much like the maraca).
The Caribbean music community viewed Bachata as a genre of folk music that was for the backward and criminal people of the region. It was thought to be vulgar and not contain enough musical quality to be a part of the mainstream. During the 1990′s, the main instrument used in its play was changed from acoustic guitar to electric steel string guitar. Now, electric Bachata is popular in most Latin American social clubs.
Dominican Rock
The 1980′s brought rock to the Dominican Republic but in their own style. The music changes from band to band but regular Spanish pop rock is perhaps the most popular with both young and old fans. There is even an underground movement of punk and metal rock occurring in the more densely populated areas of the Dominican.
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is the culmination of Spanish reggae and merengue rhythm. It has gained in popularity a great deal over the last ten years, especially in North America. There are solid hip hop and techno influences in Reggaeton, but the call and response lyrical method taken from merengue and bachata is still in place.
Through political and economic hardships, Dominicans have used their music as a way of expression and in doing so have created their own unique style. The sounds of the Merengue, Bachata, Dominican rock and Reggaeton represent the voices of the people in the region. Hear their stories for yourself in the cafe’s, restaurants and social clubs of the Dominican Republic.
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