Marovany on the Sample-Based Beat: the use of Electronic Equipment by Contemporary Malagasy Musicians

Abstract

Nowadays, music is mainly produced by electronic equipment. Many of these tools, such as synthesizers, samplers, VST plugins or DAW programs are associated with popular music genres composed in the West. However, they are also used in other geographical areas, including Madagascar. The question is whether these tools would not serve to lead artists away from local traditions in favor of kinds of music created in Europe and North America, potentially identified with freedom and welfare. To answer this query, three possible approaches should be brought together: 1) completely preservative in relation to the traditions of the region; 2) combining local tendencies with Western trends; 3) totally rejecting the usus of Malagasy music. Examples of videos with songs shared on YouTube were provided for each group. The analysis focused primarily on rhythmic patterns, instrumentation, melodics and the language in which the lyrics were written. It turns out that despite the stereotypically understood connection between technological conveniences and culture of Occident, there is a quite firm commitment to tradition among artists of Madagascar, which is why the first and second approaches are more popular.