What is the magic in The Bronx that allows for the birthing of cultural movements such as Hip-Hop, break dancing, and modern bachata? The Bronx is a lot of things. It's the home of the Yankees, the baseball team with the most championships of any sports team, locally known as "The Bronx Bombers." The Bronx is also the only borough of the five not on an island and has a "the" in front of its name (because who goes to The Brooklyn?). Culturally, The Bronx has been essential to the global music scene. Not only is it the birthplace of Hip-Hop, breakdancing, and graffiti, but it is also the birthplace of the modern bachata movement. Though I was born in the Dominican Republic, the streets of The Bronx in the 90s raised me and heavily influenced who I am today and how I make music. Let's explore my hometown a bit more.
The Influence of Dominican Immigration
Though Dominican immigration to New York City can be traced back to as early as the 1920s, the large-scale influx of Dominicans began around 1961, following the death of dictator Rafael Trujillo. Events like the 1965 invasion of Santo Domingo and the regime of Joaquín Balaguer from 1966 to 1978 further fueled this wave of immigration. From the 1970s to the early 1990s, Dominicans became the largest group of immigrants arriving in New York City.
Dominican migrants arriving in the New York metropolitan area primarily settled in New York City, particularly in Washington Heights and the Bronx. Back in 1970, 92% of all Dominicans in the region lived in the city. Although this percentage steadily decreased over the decades, by 2019, 62% of Dominicans still resided in the city, with the remaining 38% in surrounding counties. It's important to understand that New York City is divided into 5 boroughs: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Each borough has its diverse group of neighborhoods, which sometimes are divided by culture and ethnicity.
Within the city, the epicenter of Dominican settlement gradually shifted from Washington Heights to the Bronx. By 2019, 47% of all Dominicans in New York City lived in the Bronx, compared to 24% in Manhattan. Today, Dominicans make up 7% of New York's population, proudly holding the title of the city's largest immigrant group.
The Birthplace of Hip-Hop and Modern Bachata
The Bronx's cultural contributions go beyond numbers, charts, and graphs. The borough's unique energy and diversity have created environments where new forms of art, music, and dance can flourish. The blend of African American, Caribbean, and Latin influences created a melting pot of creativity. It was this fusion of cultures and search for self-expression that perhaps allowed for experimentation with different forms of art.
Hip-hop emerged from the streets of The Bronx in the 1970s, fueled by the creativity and resilience of young people who used music and dance as a means of expression. Break dancing, DJing, and graffiti art became integral parts of Hip-Hop culture, creating a global movement that continues to thrive and has influenced multiple generations worldwide.
Similarly, modern bachata found its roots in The Bronx. As Dominican immigrants settled in the area, particularly in the 80s, they brought with them a deep sense of nostalgia for the lives they left behind. In my personal experience, the food and the music were the most notable aspects of this nostalgia. Nightclubs and restaurants serving Dominican food and playing Dominican music began popping up throughout the city. This trend allowed promoters to contract Dominican artists, particularly bachata groups who, due to their small size, were cheaper to travel than a 14-piece merengue band, to perform at these venues, providing a dose of nostalgia to Dominicans in the city.
The sons and daughters of these immigrants, like me, grew up listening to Dominican music because our parents, aunts, uncles, and older cousins were always playing it. But we were growing up in a different place, and aside from the Dominican music we heard (whether we liked it or not), we were also heavily influenced by and attracted to the younger, fresher sound of hip-hop that our Bronx-native friends were listening to. Perhaps it was the desire to fit in or the rebellion against our parents' traditions, but something drew us to this new mode of self-expression.
These sons of Dominican immigrants eventually began finding their voice by embracing the sounds and cultures of their parents. When Aventura first appeared on the scene, they were known as "Los Tinellers," a play on the English word "teenagers." I grew up just a few blocks from where they lived and remember seeing them perform anywhere people would listen. They even set up in front of bodegas and played for patrons or whoever walked by. This show of self-expression was amazing to me—there were kids my age who dressed like me, spoke like me, and listened to the same music I did, expressing themselves through the music our parents listened to, but their band name was in English, and they primarily spoke English.
Much like hip-hop did in those same streets just 30 years earlier, this self-expression spread across an entire generation of New York Dominican sons and daughters and gave rise to the modern bachata movement. This sound, which seamlessly blended the amargue of traditional bachata, the melodic structures of R&B, and the instrumentation of American pop music, began locally and has now reached a global audience. This more “American sound” of bachata is the sound that inspired the global movement, the
sound that gave birth to other acts from the Bronx like Xtreme, Toby Love, and Prince Royce. These acts later influenced other artists like Rosalia, Manuel Turizo, Maria Becerra, Chayanne, and others to not only fall in love with the sound but to embrace it in their own self-expression. Though bachata’s roots are deep in the Dominican Republic, the globalization of bachata undoubtedly began in the Bronx.
The Power of The Bronx
What makes the Bronx such a fertile ground for cultural movements? It could be the borough's resilience and determination. Despite economic hardships and social challenges, The Bronx has always been a place where creativity and innovation thrive. The community's ability to adapt and evolve has given birth to cultural phenomena that have left a lasting impact on the world. This resilience is not just a characteristic of The Bronx but a source of inspiration for all who witness it.
The Bronx is a testament to the power of diversity and community. It's a place where different cultures unite, influencing each other and creating something new. Whether it's the beats of Hip-Hop or the rhythms of modern bachata, The Bronx continues to be a cultural powerhouse, inspiring generations of artists and musicians. This unity of cultures in The Bronx creates a sense of belonging and connection, making it a truly unique and inspiring place.
The magic of The Bronx lies in its ability to foster creativity and innovation out of hardship, struggle, and nostalgia. It's a place where cultural movements are born, nurtured, and shared with the world. From Hip-Hop to modern bachata, The Bronx's influence on music and dance is undeniable, proving that this borough is genuinely one of a kind. As we celebrate the birth and growth of these cultural movements, we can't help but feel proud and appreciative of The Bronx's unique contribution to the world.
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