Merengue

POA

Merengue is a type of lively, joyful music and dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic, and all over Latin America. Haitian Merengue (A slower Merengue as known in Haiti) is very similar to Merengue (the more popular version known in the Dominican Republic), but is danced differently and sung slower.

Merengue means whipped egg whites and sugar in Spanish, similar to the English word Merengue. It is unclear as to why this name became the name of the music of the Dominican Republic. But, perhaps, can trace its meaning from the movement on the dance floor that could remind one of an egg beater in action.

This style of music was created by Nico Lora in the 1920s; however, it was promoted by Rafael Trujillo, the dictator from the 1930s through the early 1960s, and eventually became the country’s national music and dance style. It was during the Trujillo era that the popular Merengue, "Compadre Pedro Juan", by Luis Alberti, became an international hit.

World famous Merengue singers include Miriam Cruz & Las Chicas Del Can, Los Hermanos Rosario, Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas, Sergio Vargas, Johnny Ventura, Kinito Mendez, Ravel, Josie Esteban y la Patrulla 15, Pochy y su Cocoband, Fernando Villalona, Cuco Valoy, The Freddie Kenton Orquestra, Elvis Crespo and Conjunto Quisqueya. Other artists popular in the Dominican Republic as of 2006 include Julian, Toño Rosario, Aguakate, and Amarfis. Milly Quezada is known as the Queen of Merengue. The popularity of Merengue is growing fast in Puerto Rico, due to the high Dominican influence, and immigrants on the island, such Puerto Rican Merengueros include Elvis Crespo, Olga Tañon, Grupo Mania, Limite 21.