Guyana’s music reflects its African, Indian, Indigenous, European, Chinese, and Caribbean histories, with folk traditions alongside chutney, calypso, soca, reggae, and popular song. These examples pair international star Eddy Grant with a Guyanese folk medley by Terry Gajraj.
The music of Guyana encompasses a wide range of styles shaped by Indian, Latino-Hispanic, European, African, Chinese and Indigenous influences. African-derived traditions developed in villages founded by formerly enslaved people, while Indo-Guyanese communities maintained bhajans, tan singing and music using instruments such as the harmonium, sitar, tabla, dholak and dhantal. Calypso, soca, chutney, reggae and other Caribbean forms are also important. Popular Guyanese performers include Eddy Grant, Terry Gajraj, Dave Martins and the Tradewinds, Aubrey Cummings and Nicky Porter.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Guyana” article.
Guyanese-born Eddy Grant became an international star while carrying Caribbean rhythmic influences into global pop and rock.
Terry Gajraj’s medley foregrounds Guyanese folk material and the country’s Indo-Caribbean musical heritage.