Tropical music (Spanish:música tropical) is a term in theLatinmusic industry that refers tomusic genres deriving from or influenced by the Spanish-speaking areas of theCaribbean.[1] It includes the islands ofCuba,Puerto Rico, theDominican Republic, and the Caribbean coastal regions ofColombia,Mexico,Central America andVenezuela.[1][2]
In the 1940s and 1950s, the term tropical music was created to cover all music from the hispanophone Caribbean excludingCuban music, which had its own category and niche within the American (and to a lesser extent European) music market.[1] However, later in the 20th century after theCuban Revolution, tropical music gained a broader meaning and began to be used in order to distinguish Caribbean genres such ascumbia andson cubano from inland genres such astejano andnorteño.[1]
Due to its geographical roots, tropical music generally combines elements from European and African traditions. An example of this is the process of binarization of ternary rhythms brought from Africa, which took place originally in Cuba, later spreading throughout the rest of the Caribbean andLatin America.[3] The presence of syncopatedpolyrhythms of African origin makes most tropical music naturally dance-oriented. Tropical music instrumentation also includes both European (tres,piano,trumpet,timbales) and African-descended (congas,bongos,marimba) instruments. During the late 20th century, contemporary instruments such assynthesizers anddrum machines were incorporated.[4]
Despite being a concept created in the 20th century within the music industry, tropical music encompasses genres and styles that can be traced back to the 16th century, when the Caribbean (and thus America) was discovered and colonized by Europeans. It was not until the 19th century that tropical music became a global phenomenon with the popularization of Cubancontradanza (also known as habanera). Cuba would continue to spearhead the development of tropical music with other ballroom music styles, as well as thebolero andson cubano. TheDominican Republic contributed withmerengue andbachata, two very successful genres, whilePuerto Rican music is exemplified by relatively minor genres such asbomba andplena. The very popularcumbia andvallenato originated on the coasts ofColombia.
Tropical music would have a long-lasting impact in the music of other regions beyond the Caribbean such as theUnited States (whererhumba andsalsa were primarily developed), Africa (wheresoukous was developed), and South America. For example, in Chile, tropical music genres were progressively introduced depending on their popularity in the Caribbean and North America. Thus, genres such asguaracha,mambo,cha cha cha and latercumbia made their way into the radios and concert halls of Chile between the 1930s and 1960s.[5][6]
Tropical music enjoys a dedicated global following among music fans and record collectors. In some cities, DJs will hold music nights and play a variety of tropical music, featuring vintage (1970s and earlier) cumbia, salsa, mambo, Caribbean and African music, often on vinyl records. Modern artists such asWill Holland (AKA Quantic) derive significant influence from music styles within the tropical genre.
Tropical music also refers to amusic format common in Latin musicradio stations.[7] Among the most popular tropical styles aresalsa,merengue,bachata, andcumbia.[8]