Explore Louisiana's Music Genres
Variety is the name of the game in Louisiana music. From the toe-tapping sounds of Zydeco in the south to the storytelling lyrics of country in the north, you can explore the state discovering new music. There are many more genres that complete our soundtrack, but these genres are a good place to start.
A multi-cultural blend of African and African American and musical concepts, jazz hearkens to the rhythmic fluidity of genres like zydeco.
![Walter "Wolfman" Washington is a famous blues and R&B Louisiana musician](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_m/public/legacy_images/Walter_Wolfman_Washington_web.jpg?itok=xokYksIY "Walter "Wolfman" Washington is a famous blues and R&B Louisiana musician")
Explore the blues in Louisiana, the basic bedrock component of American popular music.
Cajun music is a genre that arose in southwestern Louisiana from the Francophone folk music traditions of the Acadians.
Country music's humble beginnings paved the way for genres like swamp pop, zydeco and rock 'n' roll.
Distinct to Louisiana, Zydeco is born from the sweat and tears of Creole sharecroppers. This toe-tapping style centers accordion, but mixes the likes of jazz, R&B and rap.
A distinct rock ‘n’ roll subgenre, Swamp Pop music combines New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, country and western, and Cajun and Black Creole music.
For many people, singing gospel makes an important personal statement about their beliefs and faith.
Rhythm & blues, also known as “R&B,” is a popular genre that combines professional songwriting skills with African American traditions like blues and gospel.
The term “rock ‘n’ roll” has referred to wildly diverse musical styles since the 1950s for a genre pioneered by African American artists after World War II.
New Orleans has a rich history of African American musical traditions and greatly influenced the development of hip-hop in Louisiana, with Rappers and DJs creating a local style of hip-hop in the early 90s that was christened “bounce.”