Zouk-love
Encyclopedia
Zouk-love is a genre of popular French West Indian music
originating from the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe
& Martinique
. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local creole
of French, although the word originally referred to, and is still used to refer to, a popular dance, based on the Polish dance, the mazurka
, that was introduced to the French Caribbean in the 19th Century. In Africa, it is popular in franco- and lusophone countries such as Angola
, Cape Verde
, Sao Tome and Principe
, Guinea-Bissau
, Equatorial Guinea
and Mozambique
. The pace is known worldwide. In Africa, however it is called Kizomba
.
, where the music is slower, and more dramatic. It has its origins in a slow tempo form of cadence-lypso
sang by Ophelia Marie
of Dominica. This is a love song for most of the pieces. The texts of the songs often speak of love and sentimental problems. Zouk Love dancing is performed by two in a "kolé séré and lascive.
from Angola and Cabo-love from Cape Verde are also derivatives of zouk-love, which sounds basically the same, although there are notable differences once you become more familiar with these genres.
Popular zouk love artists include Netherlands based Suzanna Lubrano
and Gil Semedo
, but also French West Indian artists like Patrick St. Eloi, Edith Lefel
, Nichols
, Harry Diboula or Haitian artists like Alan Cave
, Ayenn and Daan Junior, or African artist like Philipe Monteiro and Kaysha
.
and the French Antilles of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Compas-love started as a fusion of Zouk-love with Compas, also known as Zouk-Compas "New Generation". It is almost identical to Zouk-love but a bit faster, it features more live instruments, and it relies heavily on the Haitian Compas guitar. This style of zouk is more popular in France, and the Caribbean. Caribbean, Cape Verdean and African zouk artists usually feature each other via compas-love songs. Popular Compas-Love artists includes artists like Jacky Rapon in song like "Mi Amor" , Ludo
in song like "Weekend", Jackito in song like "Je l'aime a mourir" and Priscillia in song like "Dis le moi", Ali Angel in song like "Zouk Bordel 2003", and Iron
in song like "Mr DJ". These songs are available through youtube.
with artists such as Slaï, Thierry Cham, Jane Fostin, Ali Angel, Medhy Custos, Nichols, Kimberlite Zouk, Warren, Marvin, Kaysha, Elizio, Teeya, Soumia Linsha and etc. .... but it is also Jean-Michel Rod is the precursor of Zouk R 'NB or "américanisé" with their song "Le Ou Lov", "Sof will," "Stop", "Cigaret", "Chut j'taime" "Mwen'm not," "And I love her" and "Ella". This trend seems to now the accession of the French public due to the success of Slaï, Thierry Cham, Medhy Custos, and Pearl Déesses Lama.
Some purists did not like the name "Zouk R 'NB" and prefers "Zouk Nouvelle Génération", and that this new trend is very popular among young people of Cape Verde.
Lambada meaning Rio-style Lambada), was first developed in Rio de Janeiro. It is mainly danced in Brazil (Rio and Brasilia), Australia, The Netherlands, Spain and some other European countries. It uses a modified, slower, smoother, even more sensual version of the lambada
and is typically danced on Zouk-love style music. In the Netherlands this dance style goes under the name of zouk-love.
Despite their Caribbean origin, as symbolization (customs) and / or conclusion (parties), the rhythm is considered a social dance for couples. It is considered that the Zouk dancing in Brazil is not the same danced in the Caribbean. The steps are similar to the Brazilians the lambada, but performed more slowly. The pace dançadonos other countries is called Zouk Love, and its different steps are considered to be milder.
Music of the Lesser Antilles
The music of the Lesser Antilles encompasses the music of this chain of small islands making up the eastern and southern portion of the West Indies. Lesser Antillean music is part of the broader category of Caribbean music; much of the folk and popular music is also a part of the Afro-American...
originating from the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
& Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local creole
Creole language
A creole language, or simply a creole, is a stable natural language developed from the mixing of parent languages; creoles differ from pidgins in that they have been nativized by children as their primary language, making them have features of natural languages that are normally missing from...
of French, although the word originally referred to, and is still used to refer to, a popular dance, based on the Polish dance, the mazurka
Mazurka
The mazurka is a Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, and with accent on the third or second beat.-History:The folk origins of the mazurek are two other Polish musical forms—the slow machine...
, that was introduced to the French Caribbean in the 19th Century. In Africa, it is popular in franco- and lusophone countries such as Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
, Sao Tome and Principe
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...
, Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
, Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
and Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. The pace is known worldwide. In Africa, however it is called Kizomba
Kizomba
Kizomba is one of the most popular genres of dance and music created in Angola. Derived directly from Zouk, sung generally in Portuguese, it is a genre of music with a romantic flow mixed with African rhythm. The kizomba dancing style is also known to be very sensual.- Origin :Kizomba was developed...
.
Origins
Zouk love is a special style within the zoukZouk
Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe & Martinique. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local Antillean Creole of French, although the word originally referred to, and is still used to refer to, a popular dance, based on the Polish dance, the...
, where the music is slower, and more dramatic. It has its origins in a slow tempo form of cadence-lypso
Cadence-lypso
Cadence-lypso, popularized as simply Cadence is a cultural music of Dominica based in Guadeloupe in the early 1970s. Cadence-lypso is a fusion of Dominican and Caribbean/Latin rhythms and has totally revolutionized the music scence in its genre, and it has now become the main dance Music of...
sang by Ophelia Marie
Ophelia Marie
Ophelia Marie is a popular singer of cadence-lypso from Dominica in the 1980s. She is sometimes referred to as "Dominica's Lady of Song", and the "First Lady of Creole"...
of Dominica. This is a love song for most of the pieces. The texts of the songs often speak of love and sentimental problems. Zouk Love dancing is performed by two in a "kolé séré and lascive.
Zouk love styles
The music kizombaKizomba
Kizomba is one of the most popular genres of dance and music created in Angola. Derived directly from Zouk, sung generally in Portuguese, it is a genre of music with a romantic flow mixed with African rhythm. The kizomba dancing style is also known to be very sensual.- Origin :Kizomba was developed...
from Angola and Cabo-love from Cape Verde are also derivatives of zouk-love, which sounds basically the same, although there are notable differences once you become more familiar with these genres.
Popular zouk love artists include Netherlands based Suzanna Lubrano
Suzanna Lubrano
Suzanna Lubrano is a Cape Verdean Zouk singer based in Rotterdam. On December 6, 2003 she was awarded the Kora All African Music Award for Best Female Artist of Africa of the year 2003.-Biography:...
and Gil Semedo
Gil Semedo
Gil Semedo Moreira is a recording artist and performer.-Discography:********************-External links:* http://www.gilsemedo.com [Official website]* http://www.facebook.com/gilsemedofan [Facebook Page]*...
, but also French West Indian artists like Patrick St. Eloi, Edith Lefel
Edith Lefel
Edith Lefel . Edith Lefel was born in Guyana and grew up in Martinique; she has become a popular zouk-love singer. Her career began to take off in 1984, when she worked with Jean-Michel Cabrimol's group Maffia. In 1987, Lefel began working with the well-established Martinican band Malavoi...
, Nichols
Nichols
-Places:Canada* Nichols Islands, NunavutUnited States* Nichols, California, an unincorporated community* Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, California* Nichols Farms Historic District, a village within Trumbull, Connecticut.* Nichols, Iowa...
, Harry Diboula or Haitian artists like Alan Cave
Alan Cavé
Georges Alan Cavé is a Haitian Kompa and Zouk singer and the lead of the group Zin. He was born on February 27, 1966 in New York City but spent most of his adolescent years in Haiti. He toured with his father, Syto Cavé, all over the French Antilles, France and Canada. In 1987, he met with Alex...
, Ayenn and Daan Junior, or African artist like Philipe Monteiro and Kaysha
Kaysha
Kaysha, born Edward Mokolo Jr. on January 22, 1974 in Kinshasa, is a singer/rapper and producer that works on places like the West indies, South America and Africa. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but immigrated to France with his parents at the age of seven...
.
Compas-love
Some artists have used the term "Compas-love" or "zouk love" which is nothing but a light and slower tempo traditional compas played with lots of synthesizer and guitar with lovely lyrics in French, Creole, English or other languages. This light compas is more popular in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the French Antilles of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Compas-love started as a fusion of Zouk-love with Compas, also known as Zouk-Compas "New Generation". It is almost identical to Zouk-love but a bit faster, it features more live instruments, and it relies heavily on the Haitian Compas guitar. This style of zouk is more popular in France, and the Caribbean. Caribbean, Cape Verdean and African zouk artists usually feature each other via compas-love songs. Popular Compas-Love artists includes artists like Jacky Rapon in song like "Mi Amor" , Ludo
Ludo
Ludo may refer to:* Ludo , a board game of the Cross and Circle game family* Luděk Mikloško Czech football goalkeeper.* Ludwig II of Bavaria, nicknamed 'Mad King Ludo', a king of Bavaria who reigned between 1869 and 1886...
in song like "Weekend", Jackito in song like "Je l'aime a mourir" and Priscillia in song like "Dis le moi", Ali Angel in song like "Zouk Bordel 2003", and Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
in song like "Mr DJ". These songs are available through youtube.
The Zouk r 'nb ' or New Generation
Today, there is an alternative of Zouk influenced by the American R&B. It is a mixture of R&B and Zouk Love. This trend has taken birth in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
with artists such as Slaï, Thierry Cham, Jane Fostin, Ali Angel, Medhy Custos, Nichols, Kimberlite Zouk, Warren, Marvin, Kaysha, Elizio, Teeya, Soumia Linsha and etc. .... but it is also Jean-Michel Rod is the precursor of Zouk R 'NB or "américanisé" with their song "Le Ou Lov", "Sof will," "Stop", "Cigaret", "Chut j'taime" "Mwen'm not," "And I love her" and "Ella". This trend seems to now the accession of the French public due to the success of Slaï, Thierry Cham, Medhy Custos, and Pearl Déesses Lama.
Some purists did not like the name "Zouk R 'NB" and prefers "Zouk Nouvelle Génération", and that this new trend is very popular among young people of Cape Verde.
Zouk in Brazil
In Brazil, the zouk rhythm is used to dance a Brazilian dancing style, however, with movements more suited to the music. The Lambada is usually very fast and frantic. Unlike that, the zouk in Brazil is often slow and sensual, enabling many steps and turns.Rio-style Zouk
Rio-style Zouk (also called CariocaCarioca
Carioca is a Portuguese adjective or demonym that is used to refer to the native inhabitants of the city of Rio de Janeiro - capital of the homonym state , in Brazil...
Lambada meaning Rio-style Lambada), was first developed in Rio de Janeiro. It is mainly danced in Brazil (Rio and Brasilia), Australia, The Netherlands, Spain and some other European countries. It uses a modified, slower, smoother, even more sensual version of the lambada
Lambada
Lambada is a dance from Pará, Brazil. The dance became internationally popular in the 1980s, especially in Latin America and Caribbean countries...
and is typically danced on Zouk-love style music. In the Netherlands this dance style goes under the name of zouk-love.
Soulzouk
The soulzouk or zouk freestyle is a new style of Brazilian zouk that is getting more and more space among Brazilians. More contemporary, it differs from traditional Brazilian zouk by a new way to relate with the music. Not being limited only by the beat, the style emphasizes the song’s melody, that way it can be danced with zouk or with a variety of music genres like R&B, Hip Hop. It also differs by a great movement improvement, like torsion steps and table cambrets. Differentiated lead, for the men learns how to lead with not only his hands and arms, but also with his legs, shoulders and head. The rhythm of steps in the dance is slow and the movements are made very close.Despite their Caribbean origin, as symbolization (customs) and / or conclusion (parties), the rhythm is considered a social dance for couples. It is considered that the Zouk dancing in Brazil is not the same danced in the Caribbean. The steps are similar to the Brazilians the lambada, but performed more slowly. The pace dançadonos other countries is called Zouk Love, and its different steps are considered to be milder.