Essay On Bachata

Music is essential to any culture. Its a vital part of being human and can significantly impact our lives. No matter where one is from, music is an escape that everyone seeks because they can relate to it. This social link keeps us tied to the world, even with different cultures and languages. Afro-Latinos have helped shape the music in America, many times with help from other cultures. Many types of music Hispanics have produced have impacted the United States. One of these types of music is named Bachata. Hispanics in the US have helped shape bachata, even though it originated in the Dominican Republic. With its profound lyrics many can relate to, its catchy rhythm and simple dance, bachata is as popular in the US as it is in Central America. In the 1980s and 1990s, the growing Dominican population in the United States became an important fan base for bachata. Dominican Yorks influence of traditional bachata with the artistic and cultural diversity of life in New York, making bachata one of the fastest growing music genres of the 21st century (Pacini Hernandez.)

Bachata originated from the Dominican Republic in the early 20th century. During dictator Trujillo’s rule, Merengue was the official music to the nation. Because many Dominicans did not accept their African roots, their dances and rhythms were oppressed. Bachata, with its African influences, was considered crude and lower class, only played by campesinos- peasants. It was only popular in the rural parts of the Dominican Republic. However beginning in the early 60s, bachata was steady becoming tolerated, and eventually loved. (Pacini)

One of bachatas defining characteristics is the usually extreme emotional singing style. “Bachata is essentially a vocal genre, meant ...

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...our culture, and bachata has allowed us to work together with African Americans and other artists to make something the world can understand. Former Aventura member Anthony Santos teamed up with popular R&B artist Usher and produced a hit single “Promise.” This song is sang in Spanglish, and like the lyrics, is a mix of American R&B and Dominican bachata. “Promise” is evidence of the melting pot that resulted from the blending of cultures. While Aventura is perhaps the most recognizable name in Bachata, its influences and subgenres are what makes it fascinating. This genre of music has brought us different cultures together, in spite of language barriers. It is celebrated and danced to as often as it is used for comfort and loneliness. Its diversity is what makes it unique and for that, Bachata is still one of the most influential genre that integrates all cultures.