When
Where
Center for Latin American Studies, Spring 2025 Charlas con Café – a weekly space to hear lectures from a wide variety of experts and discuss topics relevant to the Latin American region, Fridays from 1-2 pm (unless otherwise specified). Coffee & snacks at 12:30pm!
Black nationalism in Jamaica advocates that authentic Jamaican music be tied to the experiences of poor Blacks and local resistances to Western imperialism. Therefore, reggae and dancehall dominate the popular domain. Though Trinidad society is known for its cosmopolitan tastes, popular music which descends from folk traditions like calypso, soca and reggae, is more welcomed in the public sphere. To secure distinction, Jamaican rock musicians reimagine and imitate “ideal” Black tropes in their lyrics and imagery, while Trinidadian rock fans accept their position on the fringes of society. My presentation will outline the complexities in producing and consuming rock music in Jamaica and Trinidad in the shadow of Black nationalist discourses.
Presenter: Dr. Nadia W-Charles , Assistant Professor, Department of Africana Studies
Dr. Nadia W-Charles taught Caribbean and Media Studies in the department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI) for nine years. She has worked as a Research and Brand Insights Specialist in Jamaica for three years employing interdisciplinary research techniques to collate consumer preferences and guide innovative brand campaigns. Dr. W-Charles completed a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies with a focus in Black Nationalism and Jamaican music scenes at UWI. She also earned an M.Sc. in Cyberpsychology with an emphasis on online research methods at Nottingham Trent University. Her research interests include Caribbean music scenes, consumerism, Black Nationalism and the politics of difference.