Caribbean music Genres or Caribbean music is colorful and diverse and comes from complicated influences. It grew out of traditions from African cultures and indigenous peoples, European colonialism, and the unique character of places separated by water. For example, some music is important to the festival of Carnival, which, like Mardi Gras, comes before Lent. The custom comes from Catholicism brought by French colonial rule. World War II introduced this music to American servicemen who spent time in the islands and helped spread its popularity beyond local shores.