Merengue de Calle (Mambo) - Page 4

Mr. Lu · #31 01-23-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by margaret

Let's just say that I think you are very articulate in the English language, Mr_Lu although you make some mistakes and we all do with the Internet. You use idiomatic expressions like a native speaker; in fact, you express yourself better than many native speakers of English from the US and Canada. The questions you ask, speak volumes about you. You have a good mind and you're well educated. Although there are some individuals who may come out of the lower class, get an education because their parents sacrificed for them, and pushed them to succeed, they usually use those skills to get ahead. That's typical of immigrant parents by the way, but I didn't assume that about you. They don't have the luxury of asking probing questions about class, culture and social exclusion and the validation of one genre with roots in the barrio. You aren't from the barrio, but you are with the barrio. Turn it up! I'm listening to what you have to say!

Well put Margret. Much respect for not shying away. But just a bit of insight, I grew up in a rough neighborhood. A barrio. I got an education, but never forgot my roots. Never will. So you are right, I am with the barrio.

And getting back to the argument at hand. I think genres like Mambo and Dominican rap are important because it allows us a deeper look at sections of society we wouldn't have otherwise been able to see. It gives these "lower class" people a voice.

I mean we have to look at the societal impulses that have created these sounds. What is going on in Capotillo and Villa Con and Los Alcarizos that make singers and rappers rap about what they do and why they do it? That's the overall importance of it. We look back at the developments of the grunge scene in the US in the early to mid 90's. Look at why was Curt Cobain so important in those years. And look at the importance of NWA in the 1980's. They were talking about guns, drugs, and police brutality on a national level and had we paid attention, tensions in L.A. wouldn't have been what they were during the days of the L.A. riots. Catch my drift.

suarezn · #32 01-23-2008, 03:22 PM

Well the good thing is that even though these guys are not being recognized by the organizers of The Casandra they are making a ton of money as they are the busiest groups right now. In addition people like Leonel recognize the appeal of these guys so they are paying them big money to "work" for them. I just read the El Lapiz is getting paid 1/2 million pesos to appear in the official launch of Leonel's Campaign (January 27th). I believe that makes him one of the highest paid Dominican artists. I think this is very smart move from Leonel to capture the young vote.

Lapiz Cobra Medio Millon De Pesos Por Fiesta

Mr. Lu · #33 01-23-2008, 03:26 PM

RD$500,000???? I'm going to start rapping! Jesus...my next thread will about the exorbitant amount of money that some artists get paid!!!

El Tigre · #34 01-23-2008, 05:15 PM

I'm not a big fan of this type of merengue (won't listen to it for joy). However, it makes for really good dancing.

El_Uruguayo · #35 01-23-2008, 05:33 PM

I can see Leonel dishing out that kind of money for El Lapiz, but nobody else. I don't mind his stuff, but there's no way in hell that anyone other than a politician campaigning would throw away that much money on an artist that couldn't bring that much revenue for an event, it's simple math. El lapiz can't draw 1000 people to pay U$ 16 a pop, that's the truth. As for mambo, it's alright, it can get a little annoying, but it's what a huge chunk of people like, it should get some sort of recognition. There are also a couple funny mambos, i.e omega - motoconcho.

suarezn · #36 01-23-2008, 06:01 PM

I won't dispute that, but they are definitely asking for a lot more money nowadays. I know for a fact that about a year ago they used to charge 30,000 pesos for an appearance and I bet you can't get them for anything close to that now. EL Lapiz can definitely pull 1000 people, but probably not at the price you mentioned (not in The DR anyway) because that's quite a bit of money to pay for a cover charge for most Dominicans. I know when El Lapiz was presented in Cotui ALLLL my nephews and every young person I know wanted to go but didn't have the money to spend on cover charge plus drinks.

Now I was in The DR a few weeks back and there was a party with Omega and a local band. Cover charge was 500 pesos per person. I didn't go but I know a lot of people who did. The place is huge and from what they tell me it was packed so I know they made at least 400k (I'm sure a lot more).

Mr. Lu · #37 01-23-2008, 07:14 PM

Here's the simple math. El Lapiz on a regular basis charges RD$80,000 - RD$100,000 per performance. And in the US when he was just recently there was charging between US$15 and US$30 per tickets. There is the math. Now you figure that at least in the US, 1000 people at a club is a large amount but El Lapiz, and a host of artist could do it. Now that Leonel spent that much is crazy. And crazier since we (and our tax money) paid for it. Still...Mambo rules.

margaret · #38 01-23-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suarezn

Well the good thing is that even though these guys are not being recognized by the organizers of The Casandra they are making a ton of money as they are the busiest groups right now. In addition people like Leonel recognize the appeal of these guys so they are paying them big money to "work" for them. I just read the El Lapiz is getting paid 1/2 million pesos to appear in the official launch of Leonel's Campaign (January 27th). I believe that makes him one of the highest paid Dominican artists. I think this is very smart move from Leonel to capture the young vote.

Lapiz Cobra Medio Millon De Pesos Por Fiesta

I guess this will be a free concert for people and attract many fans, will ANYONE be allowed to attend the concert or supporters only. Will Lapiz be viewed as a Leonel supporter now? Or is it just a big paying gig for the band and nothing more?

Do any of the musicians do fundraisers for charity? Like "Live Aid" concerts for storm relief?

suarezn · #39 01-23-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by margaret

I guess this will be a free concert for people and attract many fans, will ANYONE be allowed to attend the concert or supporters only. Will Lapiz be viewed as a Leonel supporter now? Or is it just a big paying gig for the band and nothing more?

Do any of the musicians do fundraisers for charity? Like "Live Aid" concerts for storm relief?

I think anyone can attend, but it will be mostly for PLD supporters.

What I read was that El Lapiz didn't want to do the concert as he didn't want to get involved in politics and even less be viewed as a PLD supporter, so when they said they wanted him he put out there an outrageous amount thinking they wouldn't pay it and they came back and said "OK" and wrote him a check. To him is just a big paying gig, but it remains to be seen whether after this he will be associated with The PLD party. If he has any balls he will use this to denounce (with lyrics of course) a lot of the stuff he doesn't like about the government (which he talks about in a lot of his songs).

They have become popular by being irreverent so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he came out and talked all kind of smack about The PLD in their own party...that would definitely get him points with his fans, even though will probably get him booed or kicked off the stage by The PLD supporters.

margaret · #40 01-23-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suarezn

I think anyone can attend, but it will be mostly for PLD supporters.

What I read was that El Lapiz didn't want to do the concert as he didn't want to get involved in politics and even less be viewed as a PLD supporter, so when they said they wanted him he put out there an outrageous amount thinking they wouldn't pay it and they came back and said "OK" and wrote him a check. To him is just a big paying gig, but it remains to be seen whether after this he will be associated with The PLD party. If he has any balls he will use this to denounce (with lyrics of course) a lot of the stuff he doesn't like about the government (which he talks about in a lot of his songs).

They have become popular by being irreverent so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he came out and talked all kind of smack about The PLD in their own party...that would definitely get him points with his fans, even though will probably get him booed or kicked off the stage by The PLD supporters.

Well maybe the PLD will distribute the tickets to young people who can't afford to go to a concert.Like handing out chickens and hairdoos, but for a different constituency. MAYBE. But it's risky as you say. And then they might announce some program or make some election promise that will tie in with problems of young people and it will "demonstrate" that they're listening to youth. I'm sure their media relations people and campaign strategists must be thinking about how to get the best return on their investment. Although I have seen similar events here in Canada where the supporters aren't even fans and there was no synergy. It'll be interesting if the other party or parties will use merengue de calle as well. Do young people vote? Or are they apathetic?