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CG ShopFreestyle Innovators |
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| Written by CG Girl |
| Friday, 09 October 2009 18:51 |
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Freestyle Innovators By: Pamela Gimenez THE EARLY YEARS: Before there was Jennifer Lopez, Fat Joe or Daddy Yankee, Latinos were hitting the airwaves, selling out concerts, and becoming hit makers in the early 80’s. The traditional Spanish “novelas” were re-enacted by ballads heard on the radio. If your heart was broken due to an unfaithful relationship, there was a song about it. The music represented passion, love, relationships; true human condition. A dance inspired by an urban movement called freestyle, became one of the most powerful and influential genres that came from US born Latinos. Artists from Latino backgrounds were becoming Latin Hip-Hop makers. The music was a “free” approach to create your own “style,” heavily influenced by Latin Music. The music spoke to audiences about teenage life, coming of age, but at the same time, broke barriers in the Latino community. From east coast to the west coast, cities like New York, Miami, Chicago, and LA were finally relating to artists who shared a heritage and music that spoke directly to the Latino culture. As freestyle gained popularity, singer/songwriters like Marc Anthony were writing and producing for freestyle artists like Sa-fire and Chrissy I-eece. In 1991, his first album ever released was titled “When The Night Is Over” which was strictly dance and freestyle. And while Menudo was taking over the US, freestyle artists like Judy Torres and Debbie Deb were opening for the popular Puerto Rican boy-band. LATIN TREND? As Disco was looking to survive, there was a new kid on the block. In 1982, when Afrika Bambatta and Soulsonic force released “Planet Rock,” a new sound was born. Some called it “hip-hop be –bop” or “break dance” music. Music producers were copying these sounds but with a different twist, more melodic. Songs like “Let The Music Play” and “Give Me Tonight” by Shannon were all over the radio and club scene. Although young Latinos were packing the dance floors and Latino DJ’s were playing the beats, the performers were non-Latinos. However, by 1984, Nayobe, a sixteen-year-old Cuban-American was discovered by music producer Andy Panda who help her released the infamous track, “Please Don’t Go.” This club classic evolved from the earlier “Shannonesque” style to what was developing the following year, Latin Hip – Hop. But the single that many considered the true Latin Hip-Hop record was Lisa Lisa and Cult Jams’ “I Wonder If I Take You Home.” More and more, Latino artists were recording songs and by the spring of 1986, freestyle music was exploding. With so many Latino artists coming out with freestyle songs, it was an overflow of the style and its downfall. Old-school meets New-school: Hillary Duff is doing it, Fergie did it, and Pitbull and Daddy Yankee are joining in! Music artists are bringing it back old school. East LA native and music producer Will.I.Am is notorious for taking samples from Afrika Bambaatta, mixing up his own musical influences and creating tracks for artists like Fergie, Hillary Duff and now Daddy Yankee himself. Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee is hooked up with Will.I.Am on his album “The Cartel: The Big Boss” featured Fergie on the single “Impacto,” and did you know her grandmother was Mexican??? Gwen Stephanie who grew-up in LA was musically influenced not only by this rhythmic style of music, but by its fashion. The LA Mexican “Chola” inspired some of the fashion trends and thematic music video of Gwen Stepahnie’s “Luxurious.” What about J-lo? Well, not only is Jennifer Lopez a freestyle fan, she used these same sample beats when featured on LL Cool J’s “Control Myself,” in 2006. But it doesn’t stop there; the Boricua from the Bronx released a more dance-funk album in 2007. Also in 2007, Miami rapper Pitbull collaborated with the king of freestyle, Stevie B, and created an updated version of the 1988 hit "Spring Love”. Radio stations like KTU in New York and Power 106 in LA, feature weekly radio shows by hosts who still believe in the music. Power 106’s “Aquanet,” hence the hairspray used during this era, exposes new audiences and younger audience to the older Latin Hip-Hop. So where do you get to see these old school innovators? At concerts of course. Since 2005, concert series like “Freestyle Explosion” hit cities like Phoenix, San Jose, Miami, Las Vegas and New York. Madison Square Garden has also been home to a yearly concert where audiences from 12 – 40 can dance to one Latin Groove. That’s right. Freestyle is back. |
