DANCE HALL

Dancehall is a popular type of music originated in the late

70s in Jamaica, as a result of varying political and socio-economic
factors. It is also known as bashment.
Dancehall is characterized by a deejay singing and toasting
(or rapping) over danceable music riddims. The rhythm in
dancehall is much faster than in traditional reggae, sometimes with
drum machines replacing acoustic sets. In the early years of
dancehall, some found its lyrics crude or slack, because of its
sexual tones. Like its reggae predecessor, dancehall eventually
made inroads onto the world music scene.
Dancehall is the mother of hip hop and owes its name to the
spaces in which popular Jamaican recordings were aired by local
sound systems and readily consumed by its set-to-party
patronage; commonly referred to as dance halls. Dancehall, the
musical genre, is long considered to be the creation of Henry
Junjo Lawes in 1979. The production of dancehall music was
further refined by King Jammy in the early 80s, during the
transition from dub to dancehall, and original attempts to digitize
hooks to toast over by Jamaican deejays.
Dancehalls predecessor; reggae music, was influenced
heavily by the ideologies of the Rastafarian culture and was further
goaded by the socialist movements of the era. Many became
embittered by the movements and the harsh economic realities they
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brought the island to bear. It was during this time that the neoliberalphilosophies of greed and covetousness began factoring into
the lives of many Jamaicans, which subsequently spawned this
original bling bling form of entertainment.
Typically, dance halls are found in more urbanized areas of
Jamaica, i.e., Kingston, but can also be seen in more rural
locations. Furthermore, the term dancehall alludes not only to a
musical genre or venue, but on a grander scheme, it suggests the
institution of an entire culture in which music, dance, community
and politics collide.
The popularity of Dancehall has spawned dance moves that help to make
parties and stage performances more energetic. Many dance moves seen in Hip
Hop videos are actually variations of Dancehall dances. Examples of such
dances are: "Like Glue", "Bogle", "Wine & Dip", "Tek Weh Yuhself", "Whine
Up", "Boosie Bounce", "Drive By", "Shovel It", "To Di World", "Dutty Wine",
"Sweep", "Nuh Behavior", "Nuh Linga", "Skip to My Lou", "Gully Creepa",
"Bad Man Forward Bad Man Pull Up", "Keeping it Jiggy", "Pon Di River",
"Willie Bounce", "Wacky Dip", "Screetchie" and "Daggering.
With so much more to come, Dancehall has changed the face of music. It
is one of the most versatile genres out there and so many artistes all over the
world collaborate on tracks that feature Dancehall riddims or try to cut it close
to the musicality if its uniqueness. With world renowned artistes such as Beenie
Man, Mavado, Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, Aidonia, and Konshens; Dancehall
music has produced some of the most charismatic and energetic artistes with
massive sounds

HIPHOP

Like any style of music, hip hop has roots in other forms,
and its evolution was shaped by many different artists, but theres a
case to be made that it came to life precisely on this day in 1973, at
a birthday party in the recreation room of an apartment building in
the west Bronx, New York City. The location of that birthplace was
1520 Sedgwick Avenue, and the man who presided over that
historic party was the birthday girls brother, Clive Campbell
better known to history as DJ Kool Herc, founding father of hip
hop.
Born and raised to the age of 10 in Kingston, Jamaica, DJ
Kool Herc began spinning records at parties and between sets his
fathers band played while he was a teenager in the Bronx in the
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early 1970s. Herc often emulated the style of Jamaican selectors

(DJs) by toasting (i.e., talking) over the records he spun, but his
historical significance has nothing to do with rapping. Kool Hercs
contribution to hip hop was even more fundamental.

Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a music genre typically
consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with
backing beats. Hip hop music is part of culture, which began in the Bronx, New
York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latinos.
The term rap is often used synonymously with hip hop music.
Rapping, also referred to as MC-ing or emceeing, is a vocal style in
which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat,
recently, however, a difference has developed between "rapping" and "MCing". "MC-ing" has been used to describe those artists who possess and
exercise superior lyrical ability and prowess. "Rapping" in recent years has
become a pejorative term used to describe those artists who focus less on lyrical
talent and ability, and has been used to characterize many of the mainstream
artists of today. Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs
by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer, though
synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer
music. Rappers may perform poetry which they have written ahead of time, or
improvise rhymes on the spot with or without a beat. Though rap is usually an
integral component of hip hop music, DJs sometimes perform and record alone,
and many instrumental acts are also defined as hip hop.

REEL AND JIG

Irish Jig and Reel

Folk dances in Ireland were all originally social dances, performed in

groups. Today, these dances are known as ceili dances. A ceili is a social
gathering with dance and music.
From the 18th century onwards, Irish folk dance was developed by
professional dancers, who created step dance. This is a solo type of dance that
focuses on fast footwork. It was greatly popularised in the 1990s by the
Riverdance show.

A number of different dances come under the heading of step dance, such as
the jig, reel, polka and hornpipe. They are all accompanied by traditional Irish
music.
Place of origin: Ireland.
Venue: ceilis, festivals and parades, dance competitions.
Dance steps: dancers keep their upper body straight and stuff, with their
arms by their sides. step dance can be danced solo, or as a line dance. all
of the focus is on the footwork; steps are fast and energetic, with frequent
kicks and jumps.
In the Caribbean island of Tobago you'll find more than swaying palms and
sun-kissed beaches. When you visit this historic island, you'll enjoy a cultural
feast, rich in folklore, music and dance, inspired by the African heritage of
Tobago's inhabitants. Every year, from mid-July to early August, the Tobago
Heritage festival moves from village to village, celebrating the island's
fascinating culture, customs and traditions.
Dance is a cornerstone of Tobago's culture. Many of the island's distinct
dances, like the Reel and Jig are British in origin but with movements
influenced by the Africans. Performed by a couple or group, the Reel and Jig is
reminiscent of an intricate courtship dance. Speech Bands also dance, with
sharp, cutting strokes of a sword the key movement. Ceremonial dances
associated with the African tribes brought to Tobago as slaves are also
performed.
Tambrin was traditionally used for both adapted European dances like the
quadrille, polka and waltz, and for the African-derived ritual dances, the reel
and jig. These last two are evidence of Tobagos African roots, traditions which
survived colonial oppression by camouflaging themselves in the European form
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of British sailors dances. The fiddle (violin) and tambourine (made from wood
and goat skin) are the main instruments utilized in Tobago's indigenous music
and songs.
The reel is danced on many occasions: at the annual wake for the dead, a
boat launching, during times of sickness or recovery, evil or hardship and on
bachelors night before a wedding.