I am tempted to say that there is no such thing as Caribbean music. The individual countries and islands that make up the Caribbean have distinctly different cultures even though they all share similar histories as a result of the the slave trade. I have to admit, however, that even though they have distinct cultures, their societies do share many similar characteristics due their proximity to each other. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the Caribbean is not as homogenous a society as outsiders think and that where differences in language exist,the differences are more pronounced.

The Caribbean’s musical roots, however, emanate from shared historical roots and from a combination of different ethnic influences. I will therefore look at some of the music of the Caribbean that may have origins in particular Caribbean countries, but have been adopted by other Caribbean countries. In the French and Spanish speaking Caribbean, the music has a more French and Latin flavor respectively.

The Calypso is perhaps the most distinctive and one of the better known music genres. It is hugely popular in all English speaking Caribbean countries. Its roots, however, have been in Trinidad and Tobago. Calypso was first recorded in 1912, but the seeds of the calypso music were certainly sown during the slavery era. By the 1920’s however, Calypso carnivals became a fixture of the music scene and continues to this day.

Calypso music lyrics were always somewhat x-rated, long before the emergence of Rap music in the USA. Just a few years ago on a trip to the Caribbean with my family, we were captive audiences of the raw calypso music played on the bus, as I apolitically explained it away to my guests. But your children can listen to most calypso music played on the radio as the x-rated ones are sensored. Calypso was originally used as a method of spreading the news around the island, and calypsonians insisted on free speech as their lyrics tackled everything from political corruption to prostitution.

Growing up with Reggae music made my world a very joyful place. Bob Marley was and still is, one of my musical heroes. Reggae is a relatively new Caribbean music style, having developed in the 1960’s. Reggae was born out of the more traditional Ska and Rock Steady genre, all of which have their origins in Jazz, blues, and calypso.

The growth and popularity of reggae is largely attributable to acts like Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and of course Bob Marley. The 1972 movie “The Harder They Come”, staring another reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, popularized reggae music in North America. Reggae music has become an international phenomena, sung and played by artists of differentmusical styles around the world. The influences of reggae music has been incorporated in the songs of artists from Eric Clapton to the Police.

The Steel Pan is more a musical instrument than a type of music but a distinctly Caribbean music style nevertheless. Also known as Steel Drums, they are musical instruments, originally made from 55 gallon steel or oil drums. The Steel Pan has its early roots in drumming by African slaves. Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pan was used in early Mardi Gras parades and today, they are a fixture in the country’s annual carnival. You don’t have to visit the Caribbean to hear steel pan music. Just last week I was at an event where the entertainment was a lone Steel Pan player.

Many other music genres can be found in the Caribbean. Salsa music is more popular in latin Caribbean such as Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Rebublic. However, it doesn’t really matter which country a specific type of music originated, they have all been adopted as Caribbean music and they are all part and parcel of the musical life and cultural experiences of the Caribbean peoples.