Cajun

The music of the Cajun people from Louisiana is commonly regarded as an uptempo, accordion-driven style with a harsh, infectious beat. The roots of Cajun music stretch back to the mid-18th century arrival in Louisiana of Acadian (French-descended) settlers expelled by the British from Canada. These settlers brought with them French ballads which, together with songs from the same tradition from French Creoles in the region, form the basis of Cajun music. Over the years these songs have been combined with a blend of musical styles that, given the region's eclectic mix of cultures, formed a unique and distinctive sound.