An exploration of dancehall, reggae en español, and reggaeton through contemporary art

New from DelMonico Books, Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón is published to accompany the exhibition on view now at MCA Chicago. “In colonial contexts, music, dance and other forms of cultural expression are accessible ways to assert sovereignty amid the daily challenges of colonial violence,” Carla Acevedo Yates writes. “These are the ‘politics of enjoyment,’ a collective exercise of the senses, where Black Atlantic cultural performance practices serve as intangible sites in which sovereignty is reimagined and reclaimed. Like the beat of a drum, these practices awaken an essential life force within us. They allow us to access levels of embodied knowledge and joy that are intuitive and move with the improvisatory nature of Caribbean life itself—constantly adjusting and adapting to the sounds, rhythms, and sensations that surround us.” Featured photograph is by Adrian Boot, 1973. It is captioned: “Charlie Ace’s Swing-A-Ling mobile recording shop and studio. Run by Charlie Ace (real name Vernel Dixon), a legendary DJ in the 1970s as well as label owner of “Swing-A-Ling Records.” He worked with many producers including Lee Perry & Studio One. Sadly, Charlie Ace was gunned down, murdered in the early 1980s.”

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Published by DelMonico Books, 2026

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