Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'dancehall'

Burning Spear: Reggae On Course

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EDT

Reggae music has gone a lot of places over the years, from minimalist dub to culture-warring dancehall. Almost forty years on, Spear still hews to the reggae basics: a deep, easy groove, the brassy R&B flavorings, and a mystical take on history. His new CD is Jah is Real.

Father Goose: 'It's A Bam Bam Diddly'

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:41:00 EST

Father Goose, also known as Rankin' Don, also known as Wayne Rhoden, began his music career in reggae dancehalls. But his latest incarnation finds him playing for kids. Michele Norris speaks with Father Goose about his new album It's A Bam Bam Diddly. The CD draws heavily from the music he heard growing up in Jamaica.

Reggae Sensation Collie Buddz Keeps it Real

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:07:00 EDT

Collie Buddz is a 25-year-old Bermudan dancehall "sing-jay" and reggae artist. He describes his journey in music and, as a white musician, how he's contributing to a traditionally Black musical genre.

Pacha Massive: Latin Music Gets Big

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:10:00 EDT

A Bronx-based duo, Pacha Massive blends the rhythms of bemebe, reggae, palo and meringue. The resulting mixture straddles the lines separating Latin music, drum-and-bass, dancehall and trip-hop. Hear an interview and in-studio performance.

Classical Music: Sales Juggernaut of 2006

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:00:00 EDT

The fastest-growing segment of music sales in 2006 wasn't rock, dancehall, or hip-hop; it was classical music, says Nielsen Sound Scan's yearly report card. The news comes after years of ominous predictions of the genre's death. Some attribute the uptick to growing online classical sales.

Reggaeton Makes its Mark on the Bronx

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:00:00 EST

For a generation, the beat of hip-hop has been synonymous with the Bronx. But walk that borough's streets today and the music you're just as likely to hear is a Caribbean-inflected mix of dancehall reggae, Spanish vocals, and hip-hop swagger called reggaeton.

Natacha Atlas: Her Music Is 'Mish Maoul'

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 11:45:00 EDT

The music of Natacha Atlas is exotic to Western ears: Egyptian orchestras soaring over dancehall beats and Spanish guitar riffs set to the rhythms of the Mahgreb. Her new CD, Mish Maoul, has all those elements and adds some of her Moroccan heritage to the mix.

Gays Protest Homophobic Dancehall Reggae Lyrics

Tue, 28 Sep 2004 00:00:00 EDT

Day to Day producer Christopher Johnson reports that many gay rights activists are protesting against some dancehall reggae artists who feature homophobic lyrics in their music. Artists and dancehall advocates say the conflict is based on a cultural misunderstanding.

Reggae Singers Warned over Anti-Gay Lyrics

Fri, 20 Aug 2004 00:00:00 EDT

In the wake of the publicity generated by protests in London and Philadelphia over anti-gay lyrics in the music of Jamaican dancehall star Beenie Man, sportswear manufacturer Puma warned a group of reggae stars performing in a Puma-sponsored Olympics concert that it would pull the plug if they sang homophobic material. One of those singers, Buju Banton, has already had concerts cancelled in Germany, where hate speech laws are strict. RJ Reynolds has bumped Beenie Man from 14 concerts on its Salem "Stir Your Senses" U.S. tour. Joel Rose of member station WHYY reports.

Dancehall Reggae Artist Under Fire for Anti-Gay Lyrics

Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:00:00 EDT

Jamaican dancehall reggae star Beenie Man has embarked on a U.S. tour to support his new album. Even though dancehall is an established genre in Jamaica and other regions of the world, Beenie Man is hoping to crack the U.S. market. Despite a glowing profile in The Washington Post, he may have a problem: His homophobic lyrics led Scotland Yard to intercept him at Heathrow Airport last month for questioning, and a London club cancelled a show for fear of protests by gay rights groups. Activists are calling for cancellation of Friday's show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Pa. Of particular concern is the song "Bad Man Chi Chi Man," which critics say incites audiences to kill gays. Joel Rose of member station WHYY, reports.