The tempo of the music is usually between 180 to 210 beats per minute. This is a fast pace and alludes to the spicy excitement inherent in the music and corresponding dance. The lyrics of salsa music cover a wide range of themes from simple sentimental music to political and sexual themes. Salsa music also incorporates machoistic bravado into the lyrics as a way to express the virility and potency of the Latin male (Leymarie 268). The comparison of salsa music and American popular music will consider two areas the lyrical content and the tempo of the various types of music. The focus will be on rhythm and blues (R & B) music. While R&B began around the same time as salsa, the music was primarily directed toward urban African-Americans. It has a strong linkage to black gospel music and to funk and blues. It was essentially music made by African-Americans for African-Americans.

Lyrical content of the various genre of music also varies particularly in the most recent incarnations of the music. The lyrics of r&b music are inundated with sexually explicit and violent language. The majority of the music is directed towards teenagers and reflects the cultural and social challenges faced by teens. This is a departure from the initial moorings, when the lyrics of r&b music were considered as intense and even fatalistic. Salsa music has maintained the elements of revolt and resistance. There are also sexual elements in the lyrics of salsa music but the elements are less overt.

The tempo of r&b songs range from the slower and more sedate slow jams to music designed for dancing. It does...

James Brown is often credited with slowing the tempo of r&b and providing the horn section with a more dominant role in the sound. While there are up-tempo r&b songs, they do not have the pace of salsa music. Salsa music is structured to be hot, fast paced and exciting.
Salsa music is the product of fusion, the fusion of life and energy. It comprises the best of many worlds and speaks eloquently to the challenges of modern living, while paying homage to the sacrifices of African slaves. The tempo and rhythm of the music are metaphors for the resilience and vitality of a people. As the music continues to evolve, the newest incarnations must remain grounded in the fertile soil of its Afro-Caribbean heritage.

Works Cited

Hernandez, Deborah Pacini. "Dancing with the Enemy: Cuban Popular Music, Race,

Authenticity, and the World-Music Landscape." Latin American Perspectives 25.3

(1998): 110-125.

History of Salsa. Salsa, 2010. Web. 21 Oct 2010.

Ilich, Tijana. Salsa - From Cuba to New York to You, 2010. Web. 21 Oct 2010.

Leymarie, Isabelle. Cuban Fire: The Story of the Salsa and Latin Jazz. London: Continuum,

2003.

Mauleon, Rebeca. Salsa Music. National Geographic Music, 2010. Web. 21 Oct 2010.

Sommers, Laurie, Kay. "Inventing Latinismo: The Creation of "Hispanic" Panethnicity in the United States." The Journal of American Folklore 104.411 (1991): 32-53.

Yeo, Loo. Salsa the Music. Salsa and Merengue Society, 1999. Web. 21 Oct 2010.