Notable Artists
He's the first musician from Jamaica to achieve international stardom, as well as one of the most influential figures both reggae music and the Rastafarian religion.
Songs: "One Love", "Three Little Birds", "Get Up, Stand Up"
Who is Bob Marley?
Originally from the Dominican Republic, it mixes European Spanish music with African and indigenous musical elements. Once banned from radio stations in its own country, it saw massive surges in popularity during the 80s and 90s and is still popular today.
Example Song: "Rechazame"
What is Bachata?
This large, skinny drum originates from Cuba, and shares its name with a type of line dance that also originates from there.
What is a Conga?
Location: Greater Antilles
Languages: English, ___ Patois
Capital City: Kingston
Flag Colors: Green, Black and Yellow
Example Music Genres: Reggae, Dancehall, Ska
What is Jamaica?
Violin Concerto No. 10 in G Major - Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges
What is Classical?
Born in Havana, Cuba and moving to the US as a child, this pop star and her backing band, the Miami Sound Machine, were one of the first major Latin Pop acts to make a splash on American pop charts
Songs: "Cuba Libre", "Get On Your Feet", "Rhythm is Gonna Get You"
Who is Gloria Estefan?
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, this genre uses syncopated rhythms, call-and-response vocals and beat with a unique bounce, with steelpan, guitar and different kinds of drums as the main instruments, with very clear roots in West African traditions.
Example: "Under the Sea"
What is Calypso?
This instrument was brought to the Caribbean from Spain and Portugal, and has become a staple instrument of the region's Spanish-speaking nations especially since colonial times.
What is an Acoustic Guitar?
Location: Greater Antilles
Language: Spanish
Capital City: Santo Domingo
Flag Colors: Blue, Red and White
Example Music Genres: Bachata, Merengue, Salve
What is the Dominican Republic?
"Don't Stop the Music" - Rihanna
What is Popular?"
Originally from Barbados, she's one of the best-selling musicians of all time with over 250 million records sold, a 9-time Grammy winner, and she just welcomed her third child to the world earlier this week.
Songs: "Umbrella", "Take a Bow", "Disturbia"
Who is Rihanna?
First created in Jamaica, this genre evolved from two others, ska and rocksteady. It features a laid-back, gentle sound, a walking beat on guitar focused on the downbeat (2 and 4), rock organ played with a "shuffle" or "bubble" style and soulful, often spiritual words.
Example: "Is This Love"
What is Reggae?
A percussion instrument from Trinidad, made from the case of a steel drum, played with wooden sticks tipped with rubber and producing a very light, tropical sound.
What is a Steelpan?
Location: Lucayan Archipelago
Languages: English, Creole
Capital City: Nassau
Flag Colors: Black, Gold and Aquamarine
Example Music Genres: Rake N' Scrape, Junkanoo
What are the Bahamas?
"Jeannette" - Fabre Duroseau
What is Folk?
Born in Trinidad, she's one of the most recognizable female rappers in the world, known for her collaborations with the likes of Britney Spears, Drake and David Guetta.
Songs: "Starships", "Super Bass", "Hey Mama"
Who is Nicki Minaj?
Also originally from Jamaica, this genre started out as an offshoot of reggae music, but over time changed into a genre with more electronic music, faster rhythms and sampling, with words sung in Jamaican Patois and instrumental backing tracks called "riddims"
Example Song: "Temperature"
What is Dancehall?
This percussion instrument is made of recycled bones of animals such as donkeys, horses, mules and cattle, and is played by striking the bone with either a hand or a stick.
What is a Jawbone?
Location: Lesser Antilles
Languages: English, Creole
Capital City: Port of Spain
Flag Colors: Red, Black and White
Example Music Genres: Calypso, Chutney, Soca
What is Trinidad and Tobago?
"Get Up, Stand Up" - Bob Marley
What is Popular?
Known by nicknames such as "El Mayimbe" and "El Bachatu", this Dominican musician is one of the top-selling Bachata artists of all time, and is credited with helping the genre reach new heights of popularity
Songs: "Voy Pa'Lla", "Corazon Culpable", "Mienteme"
Who is Antony Santos?
This genre of music from both Cuba and Puerto Rico combines elements of Latin dance music from the Caribbean with the instruments and composing style of jazz music. Its name, which is shares with a popular style of dance, means "sauce" in Spanish.
Example Song: "Oye Como Va"
What is Salsa?
A percussion instrument commonly found in much of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. It can be made of either wood or metal, and is played by scraping a stick or brush against the ridge-covered outside.
What is a Guira?
Location: Greater Antilles
Languages: ____ Creole, French
Capital City: Port-au-Prince
Flag Colors: Blue and Red
Example Music Genres: Konpa, Zouk, Twoubadou
What is Haiti?
"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" - Harry Belafonte
What is Folk?