Ideas of Procura
Procura is a song that is under the Merengue genre for the Dominican Republic. The main ideas behind this song are the aesthetics and the function. This song was created after the dictator Rafael Trujillo was in office. Rafael Trujillo supported Merengue music and was the main reason it became popular. When this happened Merengue starting evolving faster than ever. As it evolved songs like Procura were created with reason and aesthetics.
In the theory of musical culture and under the ideas of the music there lies aesthetics. This is why the music is being played and who has influenced this type of music. In the case of this song and genre Rafael Trujillo was the main contributor. When he was in office he supported and told his people they should listen to it. After he made this announcement Merengue music started to evolve due to the popularity and pressure being put on them. This pressure was put on by the dictator because of his kind words towards the music. The affect Trujillo had on this music was to force them to become better and make great songs like Procura.
In the book I received all of my information on, it says that Merengue music always had a function to it. Merengue was always a type of music where a person’s heart and soul could be exposed. This could be through the playing or singing the music and most of the time dancing to the music. Once listening to the song Procure one can feel the beat inside of them. After feeling the beat inside one can tell that the song was made for dancing to. The rhythm is perfect along with the guiding words of the singer.
In conclusion, the song Procura is made like any other Merengue music. Merengue music is always made with a purpose and the aesthetics to go with it. Dictator Rafael Trujillo helped evolve Merengue music in to what it is today. Procura is a perfect example that shows the ideas behind the musical culture.
Source: Sellers, Julia A. Merengue and Dominican Identity. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2004. 1-225.
