Kassav

Kassav' is a French Caribbean band formed in Paris in 1979 by Jacob Desvarieux and Pierre-Édouard Décimus, with members drawn from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and the broader Caribbean diaspora. They are widely recognized as the pioneers of the zouk genre.

Their music fused gwo ka rhythms, cadence-lypso, and Caribbean elements with pop, funk, and Afro-Latin influences, creating a distinctive, dance-oriented sound. The group developed both up-tempo zouk and slower, romantic "zouk love" ballads.

During the 1980s, Kassav' achieved international success, particularly in France and the Francophone Caribbean, releasing influential albums and touring extensively. Their work helped popularize zouk beyond the Caribbean and laid the groundwork for a broader zouk movement; one of their best-known tracks is "Zouk-la sé sèl médikaman nou ni."

Beyond commercial success, Kassav' is credited with shaping a global Francophone Caribbean musical identity, influencing a wide range of artists in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. The group has continued producing music and performing over the decades.