DANCEHALL INVASION PLAYLIST
How could we not kickoff the Caribana long weekend without some dancehall vibes?
Although Caribana is not a thing this year, we are having our own celebrations and whining our waists - with ourselves of course. DANCEHALL INVASION is basically the Jamaican float trailing way behind (we all know why). As a Jamaican myself, my childhood memories include cleaning (lololol) to the reggae sounds of the greats Bob Marley and Buju Banton. The reggae music was very positive, powerful, and spiritual almost, with the island rhythms and melodies. But, at some point in my teenage years, the music shifted to this darker dance beat that summoned me and all other BIPOC teens to every basement jam, or some like to call a bashment, in Durham between 2008 and 2010 (lololol). And today, 10 years later, I still question - What the hell is dancehall music?
A DANCEHALL HISTORY LESSON
(for your headtop)
Jamaica holds a homogenized racial myth, with its national motto stating “Out of many, one people.” The reality is contradictory, as the nation’s majority is Black, specifically of African descent. And yet, it is the large African population that is the marginalized group post colonialism. But hey, that is a whole other lesson…
Physical “dance halls” first emerged in Jamaica’s capital of Kingston between the 1950s and 1960s as a public space of solidarity for the inner city working class. Sound systems would blast the sweet sounds of reggae and attract mass crowds. After the death of Bob Marley in 1981, Jamaica’s government shifted from one rooted in collectivism, to the individualistic Jamaican Labour Party. The same sound systems started pumping the sexualized stories of violence and power, masked well with synchronized dance moves. And with the advancement of technology and the rise of DJing, digital rhythms were produced and reproduced, with different voices and “toasting” (Jamaican style lyrical chant). This was the beginning of the Dancehall era.
WHINE WITH WISDOM
Deemed a political rebellion, Dancehall empowers the Caribbean people who have been marginalized and gave a loud and vibrant voice to those that were once voiceless. However, I will not fail to acknowledge that Dancehall lyrics are riddled with misogyny and violence, like most music birthed from Black culture, but I digressssss. Be a conscious consumer and at-least try to whine with some wisdom.
Take a listen on both Soundcloud & Spotify, and let us know your favourite Dancehall tracks in the comments!
Enjoy & have a safe long weekend.
Social Plug Toronto
