808s & Havana Heartbreak

EPISODE #79

In Camila Cabello’s “Havana” we hear both her Cuban roots and the modern sounds of Atlanta. Though the singer and featured guest Young Thug reference these two geographic identities, the song says so much more through its core musical elements. A Roland TR-808 kick drum evokes an entire repertoire of Atlanta Hip Hop, while the track’s supporting piano montuno descends from a Cuban style lamenting the loss of one’s traditional home.

Also in this episode, we discuss Cabello’s unlikely path to number one with writer Hannah Steinkopf-Frank — and the musical glass ceiling that holds so many young women artists back.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That mashup we mentioned is Havana and Kanye West’s “Wolves.” Spontaneous co-creation or intentional homage?

Switched On Pop recommends the podcast about sound: Twenty Thousand Hertz

Hannah recommends the book: Girl Groups Girl Culture by Jacqueline Warwick

Check out more music and writing from Kwami Coleman at his website

You can listen to you playlist of 808s and Montunos on Spotify

SONGS DISCUSSED

Camila Cabello – Havana

TI – Whatever You Like

2NE1 – I Am The Best

Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing

Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri – Always Be My Baby

Outkast – So Fresh, So Clean

Lil Jon – Get Low

Gucci Mane ft. Migos – I Get The Bag

Compay Segundo – Guajira Guantanamera

Cuarteto Caney – Guajira Guantanamera

Big Mama Thorton – Hound Dog

Elvis – Hound Dog

Little Mix & Missy Elliott- How Ya Doin?

The Shangri Las – Leader Of The Pack

Sleater-Kinney – I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

Spice Girls – Wannabe

Spice Girls – Spice Up Your Life

The Ronettes – Be My Baby

The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow

TLC – No Scrubs