In a world where songs are quickly made viral by their use in short-form content like Instagram reels, I believe it is relevant to compare and contrast various genres to understand the origins and nuances of the music. Specifically, genres from the Caribbean are just now breaking into the United States market, where the differences between them can often be overlooked or misunderstood. Within the past few years, the global mainstream music charts have become increasingly diverse, as artists like Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny make their way to the top. Most recently, the release from prison of Jamaican dancehall singer Vybz Kartel also sparked widespread attention as he scheduled his first two concerts in Jamaica and New York. The demand for the latter was so overwhelming that the singer opened a second date in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Culture and music in the Caribbean are heavily influenced by colonial history. The African slave trade brought influence to Cuba, Jamaica, Guyana and Puerto Rico, to name a few, and out of this, Afro-Caribbean music and identity was born. Further, indentured servants from East India influenced the development of the West Indies—Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Spanish colonization also contributed to the development of the region, especially via language dominance in places like Cuba and Puerto Rico. The fusion of cultures produced various musical adaptations, such as reggaeton, soca and chutney music. The following list highlights a few genres from my weekly listening rotation that I have recently noticed in the global mainstream as well.
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is arguably the most popular modern Caribbean music genre, oftentimes characterized as a mix of Caribbean dancehall and hip-hop rhythms and traditional Latin sounds. Puerto Rican star Daddy Yankee is often credited with the genre’s recognition on an international level, owing the spotlight to hits like “Gasolina” and “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó.” Most recently, stars like Bad Bunny, Karol G and Feid have continued to bring reggaeton into the international scene via albums like “Un Verano Sin Ti,” “Mañana Será Bonito” and “FERXXOCALIPSIS,” respectively. “Moscow Mule” and “Me Porto Bonito” are two of the most recognizable songs from “Un Verano Sin Ti” and are representative of a classic reggaeton beat. Similarly, “Mañana Será Bonito” from the album of the same name and “CLASSY 101” from “FERXXOCALIPSIS” are popular examples of the current sounds of the genre.
Salsa
Particularly amongst dancers, salsa music is widely recognizable—a classic example being “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony. A fusion of Puerto Rican and Cuban musical elements, typical salsa rhythm features hand drums and other handheld percussion instruments, as well as horns. This year, Bad Bunny’s record topping “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (“DTMF”) features the salsa hit “Baila Inolvidable.” The artist’s most experimental album yet, “DTMF” blends modern attributes, like sounds particular to reggaeton, with traditional music. “Baila Inolvidable,” specifically, starts with futuristic synth sounds, before leveraging horns and a spoken interlude to transition into the salsa beat.
Dancehall
Typical to rotations of Caribbean party music, dancehall is a lively genre characterized by electronic “riddims” backing an artist rapping over the sounds. A recent viral trend involves people from non-Caribbean, atypical island nations dancing to the ever-popular song “So Mi Like It” by Spice. The aforementioned Vybz Kartel is considered one of the greats in this genre, having released much of his modern discography while in jail. His most popular song is “Fever” from his appropriately titled album “King of the Dancehall.” Other popular singles include “Clarks,” “Romping Shop” and “Summer Time.”
Soca
Another energetic but lesser-known genre is soca, where calypso and Jamaican dancehall are combined with East Indian rhythms—soca comes from West Indian countries like Trinidad and Tobago. Dubbed the king of soca, Machel Montano’s extensive discography features hits like “Fast Wine,” “Play Harder” and “Super Soca” with Vybz Kartel. “Party Done” with Angela Hunte is another frequently played tune that is used to signal the end of a function. Another soca bigwig, Kes, recently released “Cocoa Tea”—sure to be the song of the summer, as it climbs Caribbean charts.
Chutney
Perhaps the least popular genre on this list, chutney combines traditional East Indian folk sounds with calypso sounds and English words. The key difference between soca and chutney is that the latter contains significantly more East Indian influence, whereas the former holds heavy influences from a majority of Caribbean genres. Considered the father of chutney, Sundar Popo’s “Don’t Fall In Love” is a classic example of this genre. In the modern day, Ravi B dominates the chutney scene with songs like “Rum Is Meh Lover” and “Start Over.”
Music in the Caribbean is as diverse as its people, and understanding the variations between genres can encourage exploration.