Slovak popular music

Country and western has roots in the United States. It also has a rich tradition in our country.

On the website https://www.facebook.com/slovenskacountryhudba/ you can listen to artists and music groups.

The Kredenc group comes from Orava. Country festivals are held in Slovakia.

Even a dobro- musical instrument was created by an American from Slovakia.

Western riding is popular. Filip, a boy with Down syndrome, is very successful in international competitions. He is known as the best cowboy from Slovakia.

Slovak popular music

Rap is the most popular musical style of youth. It's a vocal style in which the artist speaks lyrically, in rhymes and beat verses, mostly at a tempo of around 90 bpm. It is one of the elements of the hip hop subculture (rap, graffiti, break-dance, DJing and beatbox).

The rappers' texts are about social injustice, equality but also about violent lifestyles and poor living conditions of young people.

Rapper Kali dedicated the song Better to his daughter because of whom she wants to be a better person.

The Ego sings: ,,We only live once, right here and right now."

Mike Spirit in My People talks about ecology, war, inequality, selfishness, lack of communication between people ...

A woman, her name is Sima, broke through among men. The themes of her songs are different (Karinka prepared the presentation).

And what about dance groups? The first was called the Gummy Boys. Laci Strike and Street Dance Academy, Old School Brothers, The Pastels - today they are well known dance groups in Slovakia.

Musical

Musical is still a very popular genre. The beginnings of musicals are linked to socialist Czechoslovakia (it was considered a "capitalist genre") and rock music. It is the 60s of the 20th century. The ideas are different.

The literary theme has e.g. the musical Cyrano from the Suburbs (1977). However, the story takes place in the environment of a rock band and it is about love triangle.

Social problems are shown e.g. musical Don't Take Us Princess (1981). It shows a lack of understanding between parents and children, an orientation towards material values. The life of teenagers in a housing estate, their problems, first loves is shown in the Fountain for Zuzana (1985).

The biblical theme is dealt with by the musical The Gospel of Mary (1992), King David (1998), Francis of Assisi (2007).

The life story of the exceptional man John Paul II. It shows the musical Occupation of the Pope (2016). The greatest hits of the rock band Elán form the basis of the musical Eighth Continents (2011).

Musicals for children are a special category. So far, the last - children's - musical was created in 2019.

The fate of some folk songs

Did you know that the melody of the Slovak anthem comes from the folk song Kopala studienku?

Did you know that the author of the text was Janko Matúška, a native of Orava?

Did you know that it was part of the Czech-Slovak anthem in the times of the common state of Czechs and Slovaks?

Kopala studienku - lyrics

/:She was digging a well and was looking into it : //: Is it as deep as it is wide? I would jump into it: /

Slovenská hymna (national anthem) - lyrics

/:There is lightning above the Tatras, thunder is beating wildly://: Let' s stop them, brothers, so they will get lost, the Slovaks will come to life:/

Did you know that the song Macejko, Macejko became the hockey anthem of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia?

Did you know that a conference was held in Malacky, which focused not only on the historical context or musicological view but even on the psychological profile of the central figure of the folk song?

Did you know that the Slovaks chose the name Macejko for the mascot of the hockey championship in an Internet vote?

Gospel

In addition to folk music, Slovak popular music is also varied. We have decided to introduce you one of the musical styles every week. We start with the gospel :)

The gospel is still very popular. In almost every city, in every church there is a gospel band. During the summer, gospel festivals are held in Slovakia, e. g. Verím Pane, Spievame Márii. Talents are being sought.

Sima Martausová

Sima Martausová.pptx

(presentation by Sabína F.) won Gospel talent in 2009. Her songs are beautiful, the lyrics make you think. We have chosen a song for you Nenahraditeľná.

...and finally something from your music played in Slovakia :)

For Spanish friends - Spanish dance performed by Academia Flamenca Bratislava.

For Greek friends - listen to your song by your singer Demis Roussos Goodbye My Love Goodbye performed by Slovak singer Marcela Laiferová And do you know what the Greek sirtaki dance sounds like on a traditional Slovak folk instrument - cimbal?

For Polish friends - the most famous song of the Slovak Gorals of Góralu, czy ci nie zal ...

For Turkish friends - in Slovakia is known singer Tarkan and belly dancing .

For Croatian friends - we also have a singer Jadranka in Slovakia and Robo Kazík is also known for Croatian melodies. In collaboration with Boban and Marko Marković orchestra and the Slovak group Vidiek, a nice song Play Trumpets was created.

And for everyone in a good mood, our dance Jerusalema