History and Background of Dancehall Music

 

Dancehall music originated in the 1970s and is very different from reggae, for which Jamaica is known. While reggae is more melodic and involves singing, dancehall is where an artist almost rapping over a “riddim”. A “riddim” is an instrumental version of a song, where almost no melodic instruments are used. Instead, the bass and the drum are most heavily heard. Dancehall got its name because it was played in large halls or street spaces where dances and parties were held. Sound systems would be set up and a riddim would be played. Instead of pre-recorded songs, many artists would come and perform live. As time went on, some of these artists became household names and started recording the music so more people could hear it. Artists such as Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and King Jammy were some of the most popular artists and credited with helping to make dancehall more popular. 

Dancehall has had a widely global reach, with people as far as Japan embracing the culture, the dances and the music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2008, after Usain Bolt’s historic world record breaking Olympic Games, he brought it even further by doing dancehall dances on the track and exposing something unknown by many people to the entire world. Children and adults from all over the world were now doing the dance called “to the world”. While it was popular in Jamaica, this was the first time that a dance became worldwide. Bolt showcasing the Jamaican dance opened an avenue to bring dancehall out of a niche market and make it more global, even if it was just for a short while. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dancehall culture has brought about new ideas in Jamaica, glorifying sexual immorality and violence. 

Filmaker Storm Saulter made a movie called "Better Mus Come" about political violence in Jamaica and had this to say on the bad man lifestyle that dancehall talks about: 

 

And in Jamaican culture, it’s very big on holding up the badman in a high place of respect, just generally. And I felt like, even though there are so many badman films that have come out, it’s like no one really put it in the correct context. It’s all about celebrating the badman like he’s a hero. And I really wanted to put it in a context of, no, we’re not just born like bad people. Jamaicans aren’t just bornbadasses and dangerous and whatever. You know, we were made this way and it’s become a part of our society.

 

The rest of his interview can be read here http://www.camerainthesun.com/dev1/?p=5132