Contemporary Music of Madagascar

The current music comprises the modern-day compositions that have their origins in the traditional musical patterns and have been made for entertainment purposes, typically with the concentrated of eventual mass distribution through compact disc, cassette, radio or internet. The current types of Malagasy music may incorporate such inventions as amplified or imported instruments (especially the electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit and synthesizer), mixed with the sound of the modern and traditional instruments or use traditional instruments in inventive ways. As the current musicians changed their musical heritage to present market, they manage to preserve the melodic, chordophone-dominated sound that differentiates traditional Malagasy music from the percussion-heavy customs of mainland African.

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In the 50s and 60s, a collection of ensembles in the Highlands of the region between and around Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa were performing and covers the European and Americans hits or changing mainland African tunes for local spectators.

In the 1970s Madagascar got their first super group with Mahaleo, whose members mixed traditional Malagasy sounds with the soft rock to huge and enduring success. Rosy appeared as a superstar shortly afterward, changing the instrumentation, vocal styles and rhythms of the hira gasy to make a differently Malagasy radio-friendly sound. His open eager help from the then President Didier Ratsiraka assured his ensemble regular performances in union with the presidential functions and his ensemble came to describe the Ratsiraka era for many.

Other important current artists from the Highlands include Justin Vali and Sylvester Randafison both are valiha virtuoso; Rakoto Frah who can play two sodina concurrently; Solo Miral also feature guitar played in the style of a valiha; Tarika who is a Malagasy fusion band based in England; Olombelona Ricky who is a highly accomplished solo vocalist and Samoela who is a roots musician whose dull social and political analysis pushed his group to fame.