How to Appreciate Haitian Music

The roots of much Haitian and Caribbean music are African, based on tribal rhythms that the slaves brought over with them from their homelands. Once in the Antilles, these sounds were influenced by European musical traditions to give rise to new styles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Begin with the traditions. The most traditional Haitian music consists of voodoo songs repeated during religious celebrations. The secular outgrowth of this musical tradition is called mizik rasin (roots music). Bands such as RAM have fused traditional rhythms with rock elements. In fact, this band is featured on the soundtrack of the film "Philadelphia," with their song "Ibolele" (Dreams Come True).
2. Put on your costume. New and old bands often unveil their new songs during carnival season, and then local neighborhood groups or rara improvise on those rhythms. Mainstream Haitian music kompa is exemplified by long-lasting bands such as Ensemble Select. Kompa sounds like a mixture of jazz (saxophone, horn) with African elements (medium to fast tempo).
3. Some pop Haitian singers have borrowed elements from various musical traditions to make more danceable lively music akin to American pop. Get to know singers such as Emeline Michel and Jacque Sauveur Jean, whose ballads are well-worn by amateur singers.
4. Borrow from your neighbors. Haitians also listen to a great deal of zouk—a mixture of kompa and musical traditions from the other Caribbean islands, especially the francophone ones such as Martinique. The most venerated groups in this genre are Kassav and Compagnie Creole.