Bachata is a form of music and dance that originated in the countryside and rural marginal neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. Its subjects are usually romantic; especially prevalent are tales of heartbreak.

The music is in 4/4. It is influenced by rumba and son, while remaining of distinctive sound.

Derived from the Latin American tradition of guitar music, bachata emerged in the 1960s. While popular radio filled the air waves with merengue and salsa, bachata musicians were forced to develop their own system of producing and distributing their music. Juan Luis Guerra won a Grammy in 1992 for his album Bachata Rosa allowing bachata to gain legitimacy and international recognition. The bachata that has gained popularity is produced with electronic instruments and exhibits masterful use of the guitar. It is often faster than its predecessors, and is very danceable; in recent years, Dominican television stations have produced vastly popular bachata dance contests for broadcast.

At present 2004, the Dominican group Aventura is probably the best known bachata group worldwide, its single "Obsesion" having dominated for a long time radio play both in major US latino markets, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

Other artists of note include Antony Santos , Raulin Rodriguez , Zacarias Ferrera , Super Uba , Monchy y Alexandra , and Joe Veras , just to mention a few of the currently most popular.

References/External links

• History of Bachata, with music clips
• History of Bachata, an excerpt from:
• Deborah Pacini Hernandez: Bachata. A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music. Temple University Press, Philadelphia, 1995, ISBN 1-56639-300-0
• An Overview of Bachata Music
• Bachata : Artists and most popular songs : real audio clips, lyrics, midis, links...