Caribbean/Latin American

Caribbean music genres are diverse. They are each syntheses of African, European, Indian and Indigenous influences, largely created by descendants of African slaves (see Afro-Caribbean music), along with contributions from other communities (such as Indo-Caribbean music). Some of the styles to gain wide popularity outside of the Caribbean include reggae, zouk, salsa, bouyon, calypso, soca, reggaeton and punta. Caribbean is also related to Central American and South American music. The divisions between Caribbean music genres are not always well-defined, because many of these genres share common relations and have influenced each other in many ways and directions. Some critics have defined Latin music as an incorporation of four elements: music style, geography, cultural background of the artist and language. The first of those encapsulates all music styles generated from Latin countries, such as salsa, merengue, tango and bachata; as well as other styles derived from a more mainstream genre, such as Latin pop, rock, jazz and hip-hop.

The cultures that encompass these musics and compose of its wide array of genres is so extensive that we cannot fit it into this description. Therefore, all of the music that falls under Caribbean & Latin American music is at your disposal for discussion. Here are good sources for the collective of genres and styles that are Caribbean and Latin American:

Source 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Caribbean_music_genres
Source 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_music