Salegy (Malagasy pronunciation:[ˈsaleɡʲ]) is a popular music genre fromMadagascar. Originating as aSub-Saharan African folk music style in the northwestern coastal areas of Madagascar, modern salegy is the genre ofMalagasy music that has gained the widest recognition and commercial popularity in the international market. Its sound is considered emblematic of the island.[1]Eusèbe Jaojoby, aSakalava singer from Anboahangibe , was a key originator of the style and is widely considered the "King of Salegy".[2]
The contemporary, electrified form of popular salegy originated from traditional acoustic roots in northwestern Madagascar aroundMahajanga andAntsiranana in the 1950s.[3] It has been popularized by originators likeJaojoby and relative newcomers such asNinie Doniah,Vaiavy Chila andDr. J.B. and the Jaguars. The style isfunky and energetic, dominated by ringingelectric guitars, real or synthesizedaccordion, andcall-and-responsepolyphonic vocals, propelled by heavyelectric bass and a drivingpercussion section typically including adrum kit,djembe andshakers.[1] The syncopated,polyrhythmic beat of salegy is rapid (typically around 290BPM) and features a distinctive percussion pattern performed on a Western drum kit in6
8 or12
4 time with accents on the 3rd or 7th beat. The melody and harmonies are often in the A minor key and feature beautiful high-life electric guitar and synthesized accordion lines. The sound of salegy can be heard at night clubs, cabarets, parties and dance floors across the island.
Salegy represents an electrified version of theantsa musical style that was traditionally performed atBetsimisaraka andTsimihety rituals.[4] In addition to their commonalities in tempo, vocal style, and tendency towardminor keys (which some attribute to anArab influence, and which stands in contrast to themajor key dominance of Highland music), the salegy shares the antsa's structure in that it always features a middle section called thefolaka ("broken") which is primarily instrumental—voice serves only to urge on more energetic dancing—and during which the vocalists (and the audience) will launch into intricate polyrhythmichand-clapping to the beat of the music.[3]