kompa
what it is
Compas (sometimes written Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa, kompa or compa) is a musical genre which is native to Haiti. It contains influences from Merengue music, some jazz elements as well as significant Cuban (Son Cubano) and African rhythms. Today, every group, every composer of dance music in the Caribbean owes something to Konpa, even Zouk, considering the strong influence of Konpa musicians on Jacob Desvarieux, the major founder of Zouk.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make kompa a playlist
turn these 13 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is kompa?
Compas (sometimes written Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa, kompa or compa) is a musical genre which is native to Haiti. It contains influences from Merengue music, some jazz elements as well as significant Cuban (Son Cubano) and African rhythms. Today, every group, every composer of dance music in the Caribbean owes something to Konpa, even Zouk, considering the strong influence of Konpa musicians on Jacob Desvarieux, the major founder of Zouk.
What are good kompa albums to start with?
Try She's Hot by Pierre Jean, What U Didn't Know by Sarina, TORO RODEO by Charlin Bato, and MISYON AKONPLI by kdilak mesaje a.
Who are some women making kompa?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/kompa/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making kompa, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-22