Nicaraguan music is a mixture of indigenous and European, especially Spanish, influences. The most used musical influences are the marimba, which some say were brought to the Americas by African slaves while other say that there is proof that Mayans used it before colonization. The… Read More »Nicaragua
Paraguay, like most colonized countries, lost the indigenous rhythms, songs and instruments during colonization. Therefore, now a day’s Paraguayan music is strictly a hybrid between European styles with a bit of Guaraní (the indigenous people from Paraguay) influence. Paraguayan songs tend to be sung in… Read More »Paraguay
Peruvian music has evolved throughout history. From the beginnings of civilization in the country (circa 5000 BC), to the Tahuantinsuyo Empire and the colonization of the country, music has been shaped by different elements, such as the geography that accompanied societies and the different waves… Read More »Peru
When people think of Brazil, it is usually soccer and carnival that comes to mind. Maybe Samba and Bossa nova, for the connoisseur or 70’s hippie (e.g. my parents). However, Brazil is a country with one of the most elaborate musical traditions in the world… Read More »The urban music of Brazil
What makes ska, the 2-Tone melody of happiness, make you think of? What is the type of place you visualise when you listen to ska? You probably visualise a London setting, with some white guys in army boots who are jumping round and about with… Read More »The Unexpected Origins of Ska
Dub is the electronic product of reggae that emerged in the late 60s and 70s. It is an eclectic collection of remixes of pre-existing songs and recordings which are heavily manipulated and reshaped. Typically, the vocal tracks of the pre-existing songs are partially or fully… Read More »The Ever-Extending Roots of Dub
Where ska embraced the celebratory, happy side of Jamaican culture, reggae expressed something quite different. It expressed the sounds and pressures of ghetto life, especially in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. The chunking sound of the guitar, that characterises reggae, is called Skengay. This represents the gunshots… Read More »From Ska to Reggae: A Darker Turn
When “Waka Waka” from Shakira came out, I was ten. I heard the song several times a day; it was on the radio, on the television, and we danced on it with my friends. All the time. One day, my uncle showed me another video… Read More »RECLAIM Copyright
A short history, introduction, exposition and review about black metal, by Jesse den Boer. Music is an artform that allows for a seemingly infinite amount of expressions. It allows for stories to be told beyond the boundaries of words. It can be a vessel for… Read More »Shedding some light on black metal
The Balkan is a region mostly known for the war in the 90’s and political instability afterwards. What less people know, however, is that it is a region rich of cultural and natural heritage. Not only does it have the last natural river of Europe… Read More »Balkan Music