麻豆社

Gemma Cairney reports on attempts to keep musical traditions alive on both Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico. In Guadeloupe 鈥� much of the music is driven by a belief in 鈥測ou have to know where you come from to know where you鈥檙e going鈥� and many young people are rediscovering their Creole music and language as a result. Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, they have created their own 'soca' 鈥� Reggaeton 鈥� which has gained international success, although many of the musicians have left for places like Miami to exploit their commercial success. Left behind is a movement to rediscover the more traditional roots of Puerto Rican music 鈥� particularly 'plena'.

Gemma interviews the father of Zouk and founder of Kassav, Pierre-Edouard D茅cimus, Gwoka band Kan鈥檔ida, and Guadeloupian singer Tanya St Val. She finishes her journey in Puerto Rico in the land of Reggaeton and visits the studio of Reggaeton godfather DJ Nelson and chats to "Ileana "iLe" Cabra, vocalist of Puerto Rico鈥檚 Calle 13, and Puerto Rican Rumba and Bata band 脤F脡.

(Photo: Guadeloupian band Kan鈥檔ida in their rehearsal studio)