Contreras explains that boogaloo is considered the first Nuyorican music. It developed in the late '50s and early '60s as the result of Puerto Ricans and Cubans listening to both the folk music of their parents' generation and contemporary pop and R&B. Contreras discusses the culturally significant songs "Watermelon Man," "El Watusi" and "The Oohs." He also describes the conflicts within the Latin music community that arose from the boogaloo movement, how boogaloo faded out and how it lives on, in some ways, even today.
Hear Felix Contreras' essential boogaloo playlist on Spotify. And, listen to the session at Latin Roots, the lasting fad of boogaloo, on NPR.org/music.
Session Playlist
Mongo Santamaria, "Watermelon Man"
Joe Cuba Sextet, "Bang Bang"
Eric Bobo & Latin Bitman, "The Oohs"