Merengue music history: Comparing the 1980s and 1990s

An analysis of the merengue genre compares its artistic splendor and productivity during the 1980s and 1990s. While the 1980s are often viewed as the Golden Age due to the emergence of numerous orchestras with distinct styles, the 1990s are characterized as the Silver Age.

During the 1980s, merengue became a primary Dominican cultural export. This period of musical growth occurred despite the Dominican Republic facing significant economic challenges, including inflation, poverty, and devaluation. As agricultural sectors collapsed, the nation turned toward tourism and international music markets. The genre successfully expanded into the United States and Venezuela, though it faced barriers in Puerto Rico, where local orchestras often performed Dominican hits under the label “merengue boricua.” Key figures such as Wilfrido Vargas and Johnny Ventura were instrumental in this internationalization process.