The “Kizomba Umbrella” is a term used to describe the various musical genres to which you can dance Kizomba. In our last blog, we discussed the differences between the musical genres of Semba and Kizomba, both of which originated in Angola. In this blog we will discuss how Tarraxinha and Ghetto (or Guetto) Zouk compares to Kizomba as musical styles under the Kizomba Umbrella.
Like Kizomba, Tarraxinha (sometimes referred to as Tarraxa) is an African style of music from Angola that is related to Semba. It is more directly derived from the musical style called Kuduro which is a fusion of Semba with Zouk, Soca, House and Techno. As a result, Tarraxinha is a musical style that is primarily electronic with a heavy bass beat. The main instruments used in Tarraxinha music are the keyboard and drum machine with or without vocals. Kizomba music, especially the more classical songs, uses more live instruments such as guitars, horns, drums and other percussion instruments.
Tarraxinha music tends to be slower than Kizomba (80-100 bpm), so it is typically danced in place with very little travelling and with more isolated hip movements and undulations. It may look like the dancers are barely moving at times with the use of micro-isolation movements. To some, the movements of Tarraxinha, which means “little screw in a bolt”, may look like grinding. However, the moves are typically initiated by the lead’s leg or hip or with their forearm on the follow’s lower back/hips. The follow may also add these movements as part of their dance styling when given the opportunity by the lead.
Ghetto (also spelled Guetto) Zouk is an African style of music from Cape Verde. Ghetto Zouk is derived from Cola-Zouk which is a fusion of Zouk from the French Antilles in the Caribbean and the traditional music of Cape Verde called Coladera. Like Tarraxinha, the major instruments used in Ghetto Zouk are the keyboard and the drum machine which also makes it primarily an electronic style of music. However, Ghetto Zouk music is heavily influenced by R&B, so the vocals are much more melodic. Some Ghetto Zouk music does have Tarraxinha elements within the song as well.
A lot of the music called “Kizomba” in clubs is actually Ghetto Zouk music. It has a very broad appeal to North American audiences because of its strong R&B characteristics. As such, people typically dance Kizomba to Ghetto Zouk music and incorporate Tarraxinha moves during parts of the song that may have the Tarraxinha musical style.
To learn more about the dance of Kizomba, check out our classes at Dame Más Dance.
