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DANCEHALL
MUSIC
  "Dancehall
music is strictly drum and bass playing the same rhythm. It
is distinguishable because of its mixing ability", said Alvin
Campbell of Unique Vision Band.
According
to the musician, most persons believe dancehall music has
everything to do with deejays. "Deejays are only symbols of
the dancehall and dance is the king of dancehall music", Mr.
Campbell explained.
The
dancehall phenomenon was accompanied by new attitudes, which
brought about a revolution as far as dancing and social behaviour
were concerned. It became associated with explicit, risque
lyrics and dance moves.
STUDIO
MUSICANS
"Reggae on the other hand was invented during recording sessions,
by studio musicians. In reggae music the drum and the bass
play at counterpoint. Several elements work at the same time
and one can dance to the drum. Emphasis is on the first and
third beats and the bass plays the melody, with the guitar
playing a 'back' beat", Mr. Campbell said.
Nowadays
reggae has become synonymous with what is commonly called
roots music. In fact some of the songs that we now sing and
call reggae are Nyabinghi tunes.
"Most
of Bob's songs came out of the reggae era 1970s. Luciano
and Tony Rebel also sing songs which are classified as reggae.
These compositions are basically message songs they are
for listening", Mr. Campbell said.
Dancehall
music is now being fused with American hip hop and American
artistes are also imitating Jamaican artistes in sound, creating
a synthesis for longevity .
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END ]
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