Just as Haitian cuisine has been shaped by different influences, Haitian music has been influenced as well by the Spanish, French and African populations.

The Spanish were the first to have placed foot on the Haitian soil when Critopher Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola in 1492. Afterward, in the early 17th century the French settled in some portions of Hispaniola as well, and in 1967 they were offered the Haitian portion from Spain. The French colony imported many African slaves into the island to care for their vast sugar cane crops, thus, this is how Haiti obtained its African,Spanish and French culinary influences.

VODOU
Regardless of the European colonial influences, Haiti was able to develop it’s own musical style through their application of spiritualism in the form of vodou. Vodou music has some African influence and often accompanies rituals, dances and spritual possessions. Iwa are the spirits worshipped by the Haitians and as the inhabitants become possessed various instruments are played such as rattles,gongs and drums. Two specific drums are used during vodou ceremonies: the rada drums and the petwo drums. Both drums develop different sounds and rythms.
Vodou music underwent major changes with the American invasion of 1915, vodou jazz develped as Haitians played it to reject the United States occupying soldiers.

RARA
This music takes place on Ash wednesday and follows until Easter sunday. It is a religious music applied to processions and general religious cerimonies. Bands play the music around the Haitian streets as part of the Iwa vodou ceremonis.

MIZIK RASIN
In the late 1970’s juveniles tired of the Duvalier dictactorship were trying out new ways of life. These years produced a particular music called Mizik rasin which incorporated different music styles such as reggae, rock and funk into traditional spiritual music. Known musicians of this music style are:Boukman Eksperyans and Boukan Ginen.

COMPAS
This music is a mix of European ballroom dance and various other music styles influences. This music style went through various changes; at times it was influenced by salsa, soca, soukous, cuban son, at other times it was influenced by mambo and swing. A group known to produce Compas musica was Les Jazz de Jeunes.

MINI JAZZ
A mix of American and French style music created mini jazz bands such as Les Ambasadeurs, Le bossa comb, les Fantaisistes, los Incognitos De Petionville (later known as Tabou Combo)just to name a few.

ZOUK
This compas type music incorporated various influences such as merengue, calypso, compas and salsa. Later on rock and roll, hip hop, and jazz were added by some artists named: System band, Zin, Karess and Top Vice.

HAITIAN RAP
Haitian youth are particularly fond of this music as political and social issues are incorporated. Known bands and artists are: King Posse, Top Alderman, Mystik 703, Seca Konsa, Rockfam to just name a few.

Haiti has gone through various music genres as we can see. Whether having Spanich, French or African origins, Haitian music is very interesting, colorful and entertaining, as it reflects the various changes this country has gone through.