Music today is diverse but it remained the same in a way.
Instruments have improved; anything available in the United States is used
in Haiti. There are electronic keyboards, saxophones, etc. Therefore, the
sound of the music has greatly improved and is much more refined; but the
original elements are still the same. For example, folk music is still
popular, even though it is more of a minority now. But you cannot have
folk music without the drums! I love to watch the dance with the huge
skirts and the colorful clothing.
Compas is still the major category in the country. Compas is all
about keyboards, saxophones and trumpets. Bands play in Haiti and have to
travel in the United States to play for those living here; they also go to
Montreal and Quebec in Canada, to Paris, France, just to name a few.
Foreign music is appreciated and enjoyed by a major part of the
population. American music is really popular among the youth. Anything you
hear here is heard in Haiti; R&B is favored among all the types. A small
percentage, including myself, still enjoy old and slow French songs. Latin
music is really popular; we love to dance salsa, etc. But Compas is by far
the most favorite type of music. We enjoy going to "Bal", where the band
perform on stage and you are with someone on the dance floor or just enjoy
the atmosphere while hanging out with friends. It is not like American
concerts. Each group has his own style of music. Two groups plays what is
similar to rap/reggae. They were my favorites before I left.
In all, Haitian music has changed throughout the years, while
maintaining its originality. With the different circumstances and events
in history, modifications did occur. The instruments used today are
totally different from the ones used in the 1940s. CDs and radios were not
available to promote albums and songs. The population's interests have
changed: more American and Latin music are accepted. But our traditional
compas is still the most favorite and enjoyed type of music.
