Bachata : a social history of a Dominican popular music

Like rap in the United States, bachata began as a music of the poor and dispossessed. Originating in the shantytowns of the Dominican Republic, it reflects the social and economic dislocation of the poorest Dominicans. Defining Bachata -- Music And Dictatorship -- The Birth Of Bachata -- Power, Representation, And Identity -- Love, Sex, And Gender -- From The Margins To The Mainstream -- Conclusions. Ch. 1. Defining Bachata -- Ch. 2. Music And Dictatorship -- Ch. 3. The Birth Of Bachata -- Ch. 4. Power, Representation, And Identity -- Ch. 5. Love, Sex, And Gender -- Ch. 6. From The Margins To The Mainstream -- Ch. 7. Conclusions. Deborah Pacini Hernandez. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 241-251), Discography (p. 253-254), And Index. Like rap in the United States, bachata began as a music of the poor and dispossessed. This title traces the impact of political upheaval and rural migrations on the development of bachata and the Dominican music industry. It considers issues of sex and gender as perceived and expressed by bachata's mostly male musicians. Like rap in the United States, bachata began as a music of the poor and dispossessed. This book traces the impact of political upheaval and rural migrations on the development of bachata and the Dominican music industry. It also analyzes the changing attitudes about bachata and its principal musical competitor, merengue.