Mento | |
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Stylistic origins | |
Cultural origins | Late 19th century, Jamaica |
Derivative forms | Ska |
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Music of Jamaica | ||
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Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music.[2] It is a fusion of African rhythmic elements and European elements, which reached peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s.[3] Mento typically features acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box — a large mbira in the shape of a box that can be sat on while played. The rhumba box carries the bass part of the music.
Mento is often confused with calypso, a musical form from Trinidad and Tobago. Although the two share many similarities, they are separate and distinct musical forms. During the mid-20th century, mento was conflated with calypso, and mento was frequently referred to as calypso, kalypso and mento calypso.[4] Mento singers frequently used calypso songs and techniques. As in calypso, mento uses topical lyrics with a humorous slant, commenting on poverty and other social issues.[4] Sexual innuendo is also common.
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