History to the fore

A famous Brazilian style of music, Bossa Nova, is very similar to Jazz. There is a small difference though – while Bossa Nova is a swaying type of music, Jazz is a swinging touch. Bossa Nova is well known for the off key interpretations in which the melody is rendered at a higher range with respect to the instruments.

The history of Bossa Nova can be traced to Brazil which was originally inhabited by Portuguese and slaves who came from Africa. Each had a distinct musical form; they combined to form the unique Brazilian music. Bossa Nova is said to have evolved from the Samba form of music though it is more complex and stresses less on percussion when compared to Samba. During the 1950s when Brazil was fast developing economically, Bossa Nova gained ground with the upper classes and was heard in several clubs. Joao Gilberto is said to have invented the Bossa Nova style.

The history of rap music can be tracked to traditional West African story telling style, to a period even before the slave trade. Tribal history was narrated using drum beats and stamping of feet. Today, Rap is a form of poetic rhyming accompanied by heavy rhythm, including a chorus in the traditional pop or rhythm and Blues style. Rap music paints a picture of African American youth from the lower rungs of American society as most Rap performers typically hail from there. Rap gained popularity in the 1970s when it paved a way into hip hop music.