Music

Guyana's musical traditions are a mix of Indian, African, European and native elements. Important American, Caribbean, Brazilian and other Latin musical styles are popular. Popular Guyanese performers include Terry Gajraj , Mark Holder , Eddy Grant , Dave Martins & the Tradewinds, Aubrey Cummings and Nicky Porter .

Popular music

The first half of the 20th century saw a number of popular Guyanese dance bands, including the BG Musicians Band , Harry Banks Orchestra , Al Seales & His Washboard Swing Orchestra , Bert Rogers & His Aristocrats Dance Orchestra and Mr. Gouveia's Orchestra . By the 1960s, these big bands with prominent horns, woodwinds and other instruments became less popular in favor of a wave of string bands. These included Bumble & the Saints , Sid & the Slickers , Bing Serrao & the Ramblers , Combo 7 , Rhythmaires , Dominators , Curtis MG's , Rudy & the Roosters , Yoruba Singers , Little Jones , Mischievous Guys , Cannonballs , and the Telstars .

Calypso

Calypso is especially popular in Guyana. Calypso is satirical and lyrically-oriented, often performed during celebrations like Mashramani , while chutney is performed at private events, usually with lyrics in English and/or Hindi.

Indian music arrived with immigrants from South Asia. This originally included folk music played with dhantal , tabla , sitar , harmonium and dholak , later including tassa drums. Music was mostly Hindu songs called bhajans , as well as filmi . The tan singing style is unique to the Indian community in Guyana and Suriname.

It was not until the late 1970s , however, that Nisha Benjamin , the first major Indo-Guyanese performer, began releasing hits like "O'Maninga".