Juano
----------
From: pyramus
To: acid-jazz
Subject: Re: Origins of Rap
Date: Sunday, February 18, 1996 6:35PM
>You know what though, those early Jamaican DJs were, for the most part,
>inspired by Black American R&B radio DJs...
To add to this thread, (though I know it's not quite apropos for the
acid-jazz
list) YES; the jamaican *musicians* were heavily influenced by American
R+B and Jazz, but the DJ scene in late 50's, early 60's jamaican culture
was unlike anything that had gone on in the states up to that time.
Whereas the states were still relying on live bands (hence the plethora of
"cover" bands at the time) to provide the music at dances, the DJ was the
STAR of the nightclubs in Jamaica, some of the most famous names being
Count Suckle, Count Shelley, Sir Collins, Duke Vin the Tickler, Sir Biggs
the President, and Prince Buster. Not until Disco did the DJ become the
main
focus at clubs in the states.
Jamaican DJ's of that period would record their own versions
of singles that bands like the skatalites and the Upsetters (Lee Perry's
house
band) would release, with each DJ doing their own "toast," or voice-over,
over the mix. Generally these "toasts" would involve a lot of boasting in
rhyme,
not unlike much of today's rap music. The DJs would cart their "Sound
System"
around, boasting of it's power. Often two DJs would have their individual
sound systems set up on opposite sides of a hall in order to compete.
As for the origin of Rap, I think you'd have to go farther back than
toasting.
Traditional African music has many chants which tell stories, and are *not*
sung...likewise, the Southern Baptist tradition of preaching over a gospel
choir must have had some influence on rap's birth as well. While Toasting
is
the direct antecedent of rap, it is not alone.
That'll be $.02
Mike
>>I like to add to "DJ Shadow article from Chris Hilker from SF Weekly"
e-mail
>>that Rap, the musical form associated with the Hip Hop culture, does not
>>have its origins in NYC as most people believe. They believe wrong. This
>>honor belongs to a tropical island called Jamaica. The Rap form has its
>>origins in Jamaica as toasting which has its origins way back to the late
>>'50s. It was brought to the South Bronx, NYC by Janaican immigrants.
>>Understanding your history is important.
Michael Faulkner--------pyramus@wavenet.com
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