Salegy started in the north of Madagascar and grew from older Malagasy rhythms that were already there. Musicians added electric guitars and drum kits to the traditional sound and made the tempo even faster. Today, salegy bands play in concert halls and at outdoor festivals in every part of the country.
A salegy song usually has a strong, fast drumbeat - sometimes too fast to dance to without giving up part-way and laughing. The guitar twirls up and down the same handful of notes. The singer calls out a phrase; the band, the crowd, the children, all reply.
There is a Malagasy way of dancing salegy. Feet stay relatively still while the hips and shoulders move. Children pick it up by copying their parents and grandparents. At big family events, three generations can be dancing the same dance.
One of the most famous salegy musicians is called Jaojoby. People call him the 'King of Salegy'. He has helped spread the music far beyond Madagascar, with concerts in Europe, Africa and beyond.