*Culture 🎵 / AfriCaribbean 🌍* *The Banjo: A Caribbean Heritage at the Heart of Global Culture* As Beyoncé makes history by winning the Grammy for Best Country Album with _Cowboy Carter_, it is essential to remember that *country music* has deep roots in *Black heritage*. At the center of this legacy lies the banjo, a Caribbean-born instrument that has conquered the world. First documented in *Jamaica 🇯🇲 in 1687* and *Martinique 🇲🇶 in 1698*, the banjo was exclusively played by Black musicians until the 19th century. From the Caribbean to the Louisiana bayous, it accompanied dances and carried Afro-descendant traditions. Its evolution in the United States led it to the heart of _minstrel shows_, before gradually being embraced by white folk and country music. *Today, as Black artists reclaim their space in these genres*, it is crucial to remember the origins of these sounds and the undeniable *influence of the Caribbean and Africa on global culture*. @Karayib News - 02/07/2025 _Credit photo: WGCU._