A brief History of Haitian Music by Janet Farricelli 
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 Christopher 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.
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.
