The Leonard Lopate Show
The Roots of Dominican Bachata Music
Bachata music from the Dominican Republic is extremely popular today, both in the DR and here in NYC. But former Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo hated bachata music, which was associated with the lower-class, rural communities Trujillo hated. Producer Benjamin de Menil has put together a new album called "Bachata Roja: Acoustic Bachata from the Cabaret Era," now out on Iaso Records.
More about the album "Bachata Roja"
Posted by: Chicago Listener January 24, 2008 - 01:13PM
Please ask about the style of dance associated with bachata. Is there one "proper" style of dance? And is it possible to improvise when dancing to it, as with salsa?
Also, does the music cross generations? Do older Dominicans dance bachata?
Bachata, also was consider to be a low class music in the 70s and 80s a couple of the singer used to sing songs that were offensive to some people.
The meaning of the word bachata actually comes from the word trash, because servants or workers from the country side used things found in the trash to make this music. Also..Bachata was played in brothels and that is the reason why Trujillo did not like this music representing his country. Therefore he created his own Merengues that represented him and his patriotism.
I also agree with Mo Mejia, (comment above)unfortunately, some people still living in the Dominican Republic do not listen to Bachata because they find it offensive.
One of the reason Dominican folks who grew up and grow up in conservative homes (in the good sense of the word) are reluctant to embrace the "Bachata Genre" is the obscenity and vulgarity of the lyrics. Of course we have exceptions to this "rule".
The rhythm is very contegious, and it is the expressin of the simple man/women; but I don't think one has to be vulgar to express his/her feelings and reality one wants to share.
The lyrics are very challenging to listen to, especially if there are children around.
Unfortunately, nowdays, the society continues to glorify it, without taking into account the message it conveys.
As the genre comes of age, I hope it will get better and more mainstraim, above all less vulgar.
For the listener who asked about dancing bachata. Have a look at our website, iasorecords dot com, we have instructional dance videos and also an in depth history and discussion of bachata in English and Spanish.
I don't know how true it was that Trujillo was
against bachata ,at the same time was he also
against mangulina?
There were lots of folk music that got lost in
time of which i have no recolection at the present.
My father and my grand parents were up on that
and for what i understand the least popular was the merengue.
The merengue was more of African heritage and
the truth of that is that it is played in Haiti as well as DR
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