Dancehall

Supercat

Dancehall Music is one of the fasting growing music right now in the Caribbean and its getting bigger as we speak.  For all who are not familiar to the Dancehall scene it Originated in the 1970’s in Jamaica.  It differs from Reggae music from a different vybe and less political undertone with a faster beat and rhyme.  Dancehall music has a new name in the street which is called Bashment.

The younger generation of Jamaica have adopted this music as a lifestyle similar to they have in America with Hip Hop music.  During the unstable times in Jamaica in the 1970’s when Michael Manely’s socialist PNP government had lost the vote to Edward Seaga’s right wing political party the JLP,  was the start of Dancehall.  Due to the stress on the economy Jamaicans changed the themes in there songs from the peaceful concious Rastafari type sounds to more sexuality explicit songs that voilence was voiced as well.  In the early stages of Dancehall music huge stars such as Don Carlos, Al Campbell and Triston Palmer came about and while Gregory Isaacs and Bunny Wailer adaped to the change.

Once the foundation of Dancehall was created so where the DJ’s that every young Jamaican kid wanted to be.  Eventually the DJ single records became more important than records with Reggae artist.  Once the DJs had set the undertone the live experienec was the trend towards the “Sound Clash” which still today has become massive.  Rival Deejays would come toghter and battle out there sounds going head to head at a concert.  Right now the biggest Deejays still stand where Yellow Man and Eek-a-Mouse who would be concidered pioneers that used humour rather than violence that you would hear between artist like Vybz Katel and Movado Sting Clash.  Towards the end of the 1980’s female Jamaican artist got into the Dancehall scene by battling it out that brought a whole new level to the Dancehall scene.  You have artist like Lady Saw, Sister Nancy and Shelly Thunder that help paved the way for other female dancehall artist.

In the 1990’s Dancehall was growing ever more popular and brought new talent to Jamaican with Supercat and Ninja Man battling it out on stage.  To soften up from the hardcore DeeJay sounds a “Sweet Sing“  vocal style evolved out of roots reggae and a bit of R & B with guys like Sanchez, Admiral Tibet and Barrington Levy.  During the mid 90’s more new Dancehall artist started to evolve like Buju Banton, Bounty Killer and Bennie Man who brought new type of style to the Dancehall that paved the way for artist who are on the top charts right now.

In the year 2009 Dancehall music has become so large that it has infultrated into the North American market and artist team up with some of the biggest starts in the States.  Reggae Dancehall music is only getting bigger and bigger and will never be stopped.