Music, in the history of Puerto Rico, has played a role of great significance as a means of cultural expression. The five centuries of musical activity shows that Puerto Ricans have created, developed and promoted a variety of genres ranging from folk music, concert music and new genres. The Puerto Rican music and native musicians have shaped and enriched the identity of the Puerto Rican people and their roots. Puerto Rican music was the ultimate expression of the “Areito” (indigenous artistic traditions)
The Culture and Music of Puerto Rico In the first decade of American rule, Puerto Rican culture was influenced drastically by its status as a US possession. Although the political and economic aspects of American influence were very significant, American rule also had a great impact on Puerto Rican culture. This is expressed through the development of Puerto Rican music both on the island and in the United States. Puerto Rican music not only became an important cultural icon, but also helped
Puerto Rican Music in the United States Music has always been a pervasive symbol of identity. It is a mode of expression that crosses gender, ethnicity and age. One need not understand the lyrics to identify with a musical genre; identification can be found through rhythm, tone of music, as well as other techniques in the music, unrelated to words. For example, most operas are in Italian and obviously everyone that attends an opera, does not speak or understand Italian. However, the audience is
Effect on Puerto Rican Music The United States played an important role in the evolution of Puerto Rican culture, more specifically music. While Puerto Rican culture remains distinct from that of American culture, its historical progression is forever tied with that of the United States. This is evident in the evolution of Puerto Rican music. It is also evident in the experience of Puerto Rican musicians both on the island and in the Diaspora. U.S rule was in part responsible for Puerto Rican migration
Caribbean, especially the island of Puerto Rico located in the Greater Antilles. Of all the African influential branches, Puerto Rican music would be one social phenomenon to be ultimately shaped and modified by African influence directly. Beginning with the African slaves, this paper covers the musically genres created over time containing West African elements, as well as covering the ways in which the Puerto Rican society influenced the music as well as how the music effected the society. This paper
The Role of Music in Puerto Rican Popular Culture What is Puerto Rican music like? Where did it develop, and around when did it develop? What makes it up? These are very valid questions for someone who does not know anything about Puerto Rican music or Latin music in general. To understand Puerto Rican music and what it means to Puerto Rican people in general, you must look at the beginning. First there are different kinds of music that can be considered Puerto Rican. In general, Salsa is considered
The Identity of a Puerto Rican Sidney W. Mintz describes the Caribbean as "a scattering of some fifty inhabited units spanning nearly 2, 500 miles of sea between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of South America, constitute the oldest colonial sphere of Western European overseas expansion... these territories were dominated and navigated and explored, their aborigines had been thrust into the consciousness of European monarchs, philosophers, and scientists" (17). The islands in the
is an award winning composer, and performer. He has created many phenomenal musicals, a popular one being Hamilton. Miranda is proud of his Latino roots, and often incorporates it into his work. Two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico, Lin-Manuel Miranda began to take matters into his own hands. The island is facing a humanitarian crisis, left with high risks of disease and famine. Miranda recorded a song, “Almost Like Praying”, with the help of some of his friends. All the song’s
coastal to help with a healthier environment. Soon came the rename too Puerto Rico which means (Rich Port). Keeping the capital San Juan. Due to the confusion over the names led to the switch the island took the name Puerto Rico and the town became San Juan. Due to the harbor along with its all natural bays. Finally the United
Puerto Rico is a small country that is located southeast of Florida, between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The island is 108 miles long and 40 miles wide and the total area is 3,515 square miles. It was originally discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who named the island San Juan Bautista, after Saint John the Baptist. The town which is now called San Juan was originally called Puerto Rico by Columbus. In 1521 the names of the city and country were switched and the island
The culture and history of Puerto Rico are rich with folklore and legends – mythological stories that have been passed down and retold over many generations. Many of the legends derived from the Taíno people, an Indian tribe who populated Puerto Rico from around 900 B.C. to 1500 AD (Source goes here.). The stories of the Taíno people were originally told orally, and they were not transcribed until the Spanish entered Puerto Rico in the early 1500s. One well known story of the Taíno tribe of Princess
a Black Puerto Rican When the United States invaded and took over Puerto Rico in 1898, race relations acquired yet another facet. "At the beginning of the century, President McKinley carried out military interventions in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines with U.S. corporate interests in mind (Schirmer)" Like Spain, the United States also intended to use Puerto Rico to its own advantage. In his project, David Bernstein states, "The United States used its power to restrict Puerto Rican trade
Calle 13 “Soy América Latina. Un pueblo sin piernas pero que camina” (Latinoamerica). Calle 13 is a popular Latin music group known for their political and social stance portrayed in their music. Mostly known for their 2006 Grammy nominated song “Atrevete”, Calle 13 has skyrocketed in becoming one of the most influential music groups in the reggeaton genre. It is no secret that Latin America has become a part of the world that is looked down upon because of its poverty. Calle 13 fights against the
differences between latinos such as the Mexican and Puerto Rican origins (nationality). Although there are similarities between hispanics, they are very different culture wise. In the hispanic community there are many different ethnicities such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba. These ethnicities are similar in ways and are different in others. People tend to get the difference between Mexicans and the other ethnicities such as Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Cubans. Some of these
Being Puerto Rican means a lot to me. It means having an enriched heritage. We have a diverse ethnic background and this makes us unique. I am very proud of the struggle, we as Puerto Ricans have had to overcome. When I sit at my grandmother’s dining room table, eating white rice with beans and chuletas with a Malta to drink, I reflect on how glad I am to be a Puerto Rican because we eat so well. Puerto Ricans are well known for being friendly, respectful and for their warm hospitality. Being
Puerto Rico in a Historical and Cultural Context By tracing the roots of Puerto Rican development from the Spanish invasion to today, one can see the influence of the dominant power in the interaction between different races of Puerto Rico, effecting how they viewed each other, and themselves. Isabel’s family, which is composed of Spanish and Corsican immigrants, reflects the attitudes that helped form Puerto Rican racial divisions. While she speaks from the point of view of a member of the upper
Republic. Like most Dominican will do bachata, merengue or tipico but I prefer to do reggaeton, which is mostly common in Puerto Rico. Being a fan of reggaeton make me feel sexual because most reggaeton is about love and slow with a nice passionate beat. Reggaeton is in Spanish lyrics and known in the Caribbean/Latino community even though it was segregated with Jamaican music rhythm with reggae in English lyrics then it became with Spanish lyrics. Another version of reggaeton is dembow and dembow
For this weekly comment I will present the feel of belonging that Puerto Ricans have towards their country. I selected Puerto Rico because even though that is my country, I would like to show how a country that is not independence can feel the sense of belonging same as an independent country. The best way to observe the sense of belonging in Puerto Ricans is in sport, in their food, in their culture, in their people, in everything that they request as something of them. In the sports it can be
The world is filled with many gorgeous lands, but Puerto Rico absolutely tops them all. This land is particularly intriguing due to its vast variety of beaches filled with people of all different ethnicities as if it were a melting pot. When experiencing these beaches the senses are overwhelmed with the smell of fresh salt water, foods ranging from fruits that are both sweet and tangy like candy. As soon as person steps on to one of these beaches, he or she can instantly hear people splashing and
The Racial Struggles of Puerto Ricans Another large component of Puerto Ricanness is Race. All of the different cultures that have throughout history combined to form Puerto Rico effect their nationality, history, lifestyles, traditions, music, and foods. The "discovery" or infiltration of the island of Borinquen (or Puerto Rico as it was later renamed) in 1493 by Spain resulted in the decimation of the native Taino population. With the loss of an immediate source of cheap labor to work the