The
music of Haiti combines a wide range of influences drawn from the many people who have settled on this Caribbean island. It reflects French, African rhythms, Spanish elements and others who have inhabited the island of
Hispaniola and minor native
Taino influences. Styles of music unique to the nation of
Haiti include music derived from
Vodou ceremonial traditions,
rara parading music,
twoubadou ballads,
mini-jazz rock bands,
rasin movement,
hip hop Kreyòl, the wildly popular
compas, and
Méringue as its basic rhythm. Haiti hadn't had a recorded music until 1937 when
Jazz Guignard was recorded non-commercially. One of the most popular Haitian artists is
Wyclef Jean. His music is somewhat hip-hop mixed with world music. Haitian music is influenced mostly by European colonial ties and African migration (through slavery). In the case of European colonization, musical influence has derived primarily from the French.