Merengue de Calle (Mambo)

[Mr. Lu]

Mkohn...I don't know the real reason they call it "Mambo" as opposed to some other genres that share the name, but from experiences I know the word mambo has a certain connotation in Dominican culture. Its a bit hard to explain what mambo means per se, but it connotes what you would call "swing." Its like style and exuberance. Its to do something well and with style. And in the musical sense its real electric and could make you want to dance.

Still, you are right Merengue has changed and Mambo might not reflect traditional Dominican merengues, but it is popular at the moment and has been popular for some time now. I don't know if you know Spanish, or what your level of Spanish is, but there is a creativeness in the lyrics that is lost on some listeners. The rhymes and the vocabulary is completely "barrio" and it reflects barrio culture, to a degree (i.e the words they use and the slang terms). Yes, the song might glorify money and girls and etc etc, but I mean the content in many genres of music is questionable these days.

This style of music is fun and happy. The point, if you listen carefully, is to not worry about the daily problems you deal with. And as for references to carnal pleasures in merengue: that's what a variety of artists allude to in their music anyway. That's part of the sound, they just aren't as explicit about it.

And yes country music started their own awards, but look at the size of the US and the size of the American music industry. It'd be to difficult to copy and paste that format and have success here.

As for Squat, you must be a psychic because after one simple comment you can determine my geographical location? Riiiiiight!!! I live near Manoguayabo...Mambo blaring all day every day...On the bus home, that's what the bus driver plays. On the bus to work, that's all they play. At the colmado, at the gym, at the mechanic and everywhere I go, they play Mambo. Who says you don't have a choice? Don't like it? Leave. And just because you can't see the importance of something doesn't make it idiotic, it might just make you ignorant.

[suarezn]

OK...with regards to "Mambo" they are NOT referring to the old mambo style music originating from Cuba, I believe. It's just an expression they use to mean they got rhythm, charisma, appeal, they are the shizznit, etc...Hard to explain to a Non-Dominican who's got no mambo.

I believe Merengue De Calle and Dominican rap definitely should have had their own category. It is the most popular genre right now by far. If nothing else regular old merengue should have their category dropped, because of how unpopular it has become. Problem is these nominations are not put out there by the people, but by a few elitist people who like to nominate crap regular Dominicans don't care about. These people have no clue or are discriminating on purpose.

If Spanish rock, pop rock, classic dance and junk like that which are not Dominican and most people could care less about are included then these two other genres have to be included too, because guess what? This is what most of the population listens to, this is what they like. Example is nobody is more popular than Omega right now.

Pretty much all kinds of music have been considered junk when it first comes out, just because people are not accustomed to it. Music which nowadays is considered "good" or great (i.e. Jazz, Rock n' roll, tango, bachata) was considered crap at one time.

Mr. Lu: I think you're opening up the debate in the wrong forum. This is another one of those things most people here just don't get. Most people here are foreigners. To them this music is trash...reason is "THEY HAVE NO MAMBO".

[margaret]

It's all about the commodity!

Awards shows are not about art, creativity, and musical expression. They are all about building brand identity in the music industry, selling more records and making more profit. While there can be peer recognition and support for new talent with some music awards ceremonies, organized by associations that promote the industry, mass-mediated gala award ceremonies such as the Cassandras hosted by the glamorous diva Paulina Rubio are about pulling in viewers to consume brand images and advertising. It’s a big infomercial! It’s not about supporting and recognizing musical expression and creativity.

When Merengue de la calle as a genre starts to sell or when there is money to be made from the musical expression of barrio artists, you can be sure they will get their brand category in the Cassandras.

That sample you provided, I would dance to it in club. I wouldn’t buy it and I wouldn’t download it. And my Spanish isn’t good enough to understand all the lyrics so if there’s a message, good or bad, I’ll miss it. I don’t approve of some of the aspects of some sub-cultures that get glamourized in hip hop or rap music, reggaeton – guns, violence, drugs, and prostitution -- but I’m sure there are probably different streams of Merengue de la calle, some might be very positive and satisfying as a form of musical expression and communication.

[Mr. Lu]

Yeah, Margaret there is a lot of Merengue de Calle out there that isn't about money, guns and girls. And what you said about the commodity is true. Unfortunate, but true. Still, what I think is that these genres are important and need to be highlighted as they reflect what "real Dominican" society is about. It might not all be positive and high class, but its real. But at the same time maybe that's why they don't highlight it since it goes contrary to the "image" they want to portray.

And Suarezn got it right. Its hard to explain Mambo, or even like it, if you ain't got no mambo in you. Jajaj. By the way Omega rules....

[El sabelotó]

Originally Posted by suarezn

I believe Merengue De Calle and Dominican rap definitely should have had their own category. It is the most popular genre right now by far. If nothing else regular old merengue should have their category dropped, because of how unpopular it has become. Problem is these nominations are not put out there by the people, but by a few elitist people who like to nominate crap regular Dominicans don't care about. These people have no clue or are discriminating on purpose.

.

That's no joke!

Even the Latin Grammys nominate crap music: Elvis Crespo in the merengue/tropical category. Good thing some of us have left TV--and awards show--behind.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Squat

I can easily see that you don't live down here...

Hehehe... Actually he's sitting across the office from me.

He's the guy that has written many of the articles on DR1 and is really into music of all genres.

Next...

[Squat]

Originally Posted by Robert

Hehehe... Actually he's sitting across the office from me.

He's the guy that has written many of the articles on DR1 and is really into music of all genres.

Next...

Ok, you guys had me... I screwed up...

(but I still don't like merengue de calle )

[margaret]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lu

Yeah, Margaret there is a lot of Merengue de Calle out there that isn't about money, guns and girls. And what you said about the commodity is true. Unfortunate, but true. Still, what I think is that these genres are important and need to be highlighted as they reflect what "real Dominican" society is about. It might not all be positive and high class, but its real. But at the same time maybe that's why they don't highlight it since it goes contrary to the "image" they want to portray.

And Suarezn got it right. Its hard to explain Mambo, or even like it, if you ain't got no mambo in you. Jajaj. By the way Omega rules....

Do you have any more links for Merengue de Calle, Mr. Lu?
And I'd like to know what you mean by "real Dominican" society. What's the "unreal" that you're referring to? Don't you think it's part of young culture in one social class? But since you're obviously not from the barrio and it appeals to you, probabbly it will catch on with others and be part of youth culture in the DR and perhaps in the Latin music scene elsewhere.

[El sabelotó]

A person would have to be dead to dislike this tune by Omega y su Mambo Violento:

Omega Y Su Mambo Violento En Vivo-De Que No Hay Manera audio in tomassoto's public channel on Twango

[margaret]

Well looking at this video, I can see it's not really "youth culture"...

Omega y su Mambo Violento-Me Engañaste/Dominican Rebublic - AOL Video