Sun Bailante

Fiesta Sun Bailante will have a special taste of the Caribbean Islands on Friday 10^th October. There, 6 music types dominate: the Reggae, Ragga or Reggae-Dancehall, Soca, Zouk, Reggaeton, Salsa and Merengue.

This article will focus on the music types which are not using the Spanish language.  

Map of the Caribbean islands

The Reggae popularised by Bob Marley comes from Jamaica. This music trend is more than ever alive with a very strong following and singers like Buju Banton leading the way.

The Ragga is from Jamaica too. It’s considered as an evolution of the Reggae music. Ragga artists use electronically created samples called ‘Riddims’ (rhythms) on which the singers raps. Ragga is very much influenced by the hip hop movement, with bad boys, violence, girls and drugs in the menu.

These songs are often very dancable but we do disagree with lyrics of many, especially because of their low level of respect for the female gender. 

Many Ragga singers are Reggae singers too. Collie Buddz is a fast rising star with his latest song Mamacita and an older one ‘Come around’.

On the harder side Movado is also making an impact with songs like:

Gansta for life

or Dying

Mr Vegas is always close to be censured the song Tamale is a hit.

Soca is the national music of Trinidad and Tobago. This fast paced music is the music of the Carnival too where you will see women ‘wining’ (moving their hips very fast backward/forward and side ways). If you’ve never seen it you need to see a proper video to understand. A good example is the song Dutty Wine (Dirty wine) from Tony Matterhorn.

Some other famous singers are Machel Montano, Rupee, Destra Garcia and Allison Hind.

But our preferred of the moment is really Kimberley Inniss with two great songs Carnival Symphony and Merry go Round

Zouk is the music of the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is known as the fruit of the creativity of the band Kassav lead by the singer ‘Jacob Devarieux’. Some of their most famous songs are:

-          Zouk la ce sel medicamen nou ni (The Zouk is the only medicine we need)

-          Oh Madiana

-          Ou Le 

-          Siwo

-          Cole Sere  

Dancing zouk on your own is considered as a sacrilege. It’s very sensual music and should to be danced in the hottest way as possible!

The Zouk has evolved in what is called Zouk-love which is slower.

Dancing the latter consists in dancing facing each other getting as close as you can, slowly moving your hips in a coordinated way.

Here is a Video in French  where the teacher explains first how to dance Zouk and then the Zouk-love… to tell you the truth Mr. Shakira prefers Zouk-love.

Zouk-love lyrics are always about a love story that ended up in drama.

Two singers on the up at the moment are Perle Lama and Kaysha (the latter originated from Congo).

This music has inspired the Brazilian Lambada-Zouk, the Cap-Verdean Zouk and Angolan Kizomba.