Keeping it Real?
Gemma Cairney continues her look at new Caribbean sounds visiting the islands of Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico
Gemma Cairney reports on attempts to keep musical traditions alive on both Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico. In Guadeloupe β much of the music is driven by a belief in βyou have to know where you come from to know where youβre goingβ and many young people are rediscovering their Creole music and language as a result. Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, they have created their own 'soca' β Reggaeton β which has gained international success, although many of the musicians have left for places like Miami to exploit their commercial success. Left behind is a movement to rediscover the more traditional roots of Puerto Rican music β particularly 'plena'.
Gemma interviews the father of Zouk and founder of Kassav, Pierre-Edouard DΓ©cimus, Gwoka band Kanβnida, and Guadeloupian singer Tanya St Val. She finishes her journey in Puerto Rico in the land of Reggaeton and visits the studio of Reggaeton godfather DJ Nelson and chats to "Ileana "iLe" Cabra, vocalist of Puerto Ricoβs Calle 13, and Puerto Rican Rumba and Bata band ΓFΓ.
(Photo: Guadeloupian band Kanβnida in their rehearsal studio)
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Clips
-
Who coined the name Reggaeton?
Duration: 01:26
-
What does being Puerto Rican really mean?
Duration: 01:33
-
What are the seven rhythms of Gwoka?
Duration: 03:33
Broadcasts
- Sat 6 Aug 2016 13:06GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
- Sun 7 Aug 2016 19:06GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Aug 2016 21:06GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only