Jamaican Music History, Uncategorized
Dancehall Music: Sound System Culture Meets Digital Instrumentation
Dancehall, a genre synonymous with Jamaica’s vibrant sound system culture, emerged in the late 1970s as a dynamic and energetic evolution of reggae. The birth of dancehall can be traced back to the dance hall spaces where sound systems and dub music played a pivotal role. One of the earliest sound systems in Jamaica was Tom The Great Sebastian owned and operated by Tom Wong. Pioneering artists like Count Machuki “Movements”, U-Roy “Natty Rebel”, Big Youth “I Pray Thee”, Super Cat “Ghetto Red Hot” , and Yellowman “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng” brought a new vocal style, known as “toasting” or “deejaying,” characterized by rhythmic and melodic speech. Roots singer and operator of Youthman Promotion Sound, Sugar Minott “Inna Dancehall Style” also played a major role in the dancehall music movement.
By the mid 1980s, music producers such as Steely & Clevie and Sly Dunbar introduced digital instrumentation and distinctive drum patterns with faster rhythms that changed the sound considerably, and set the dancehall genre apart from its reggae predecessor. Iconic tracks such as “Ting-A-Ling” by Shabba Ranks and “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers exemplify the infectious energy and unique vocal delivery that defined the new dancehall genre.
Dancehall has left an indelible mark on the international music scene. The influence of the dancehall music genre is particularly pronounced in the hip-hop and pop genres, where artists have embraced its beats, slang, and dance culture. In the United States, dancehall’s impact is evident in the works of artists such as Rihanna “Work Work Work”. In the United Kingdom, the sound of Jamaican dancehall is heard in the works of artists like Ed Sheeran “Shape Of You”.
Recording collaborations or what Jamaicans call “combinations” between vocalists, are a very common feature of dancehall music. There have been many successful “combinations” between Jamaican dancehall artists and international recording artists. Some good examples include, Sean Paul and Beyonce “Baby Boy”, “Girls Dem Sugar” by Beenie Man & Mya and “Dem No Worry We “ by Super Cat & Heavy D . These collaborations not only showcased the global appeal of dancehall but also celebrated the genre’s ability to unite artists from different cultural backgrounds.
From the streets of Kingston to the international airwaves and stages around the world, dancehall stands as a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and bridge cultures. The dancehall works of Jamaican superstar artists such as Shaggy “It Wasn’t Me”, Beanie Man “Who Am I (Sim Simma)” and Sean Paul “Temperature” ensure mainstream global acceptance of the genre.