Zydeco (/ˈzaɪdɪˌkoʊ, -diː-/ ZY-dih-koh, -⁠dee-; French: zarico) is a music genre that was created in rural Southwest Louisiana by Afro-Americans of Creole heritage.

Zydeco music is centered on the accordion, which leads the rest of the band, and a specialized washboard, called a vest frottoir, as a prominent percussive instrument.

[citation needed] In 1960, musicologist Mack McCormick used the spelling "zydeco" in the liner notes for a compilation album: A Treasury of Field Recordings.

Chenier later claimed credit for having coined this spelling[5] Another possible root word for zydeco is a West African term for "musicking".

Recent studies based on early Louisiana recordings made by Alan and John Lomax suggest that the term, as well as the tradition, may have African origins.

[12] Europeans imported or acquired African slaves as workers, and they soon outnumbered the whites on major sugar cane and other plantations.

For 150 years, Louisiana Creoles enjoyed an insular lifestyle, prospering, educating themselves without the government and building their invisible communities under the Code Noir.

It also established restrictions and rights for gens de couleur libres, free people of color who were a growing class, often descended from French white men and Black African or mixed-race women.

The American states had made laws based on the assumption of second-class status for most people of visible African descent, because of its strong association with the caste of slavery.

Zydeco's rural beginnings and the prevailing economic conditions at its inception are reflected in the song titles, lyrics, and bluesy vocals.

Their numbers were surpassed by the many southern Blacks, including people of color, who migrated to California, Oregon and Washington states, where the buildup of defense industries provided more access to good jobs.

The first zydeco vest frottoir was designed by Clifton Chenier in 1946 while he and his brother Cleveland were working at an oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Clifton Chenier, Rockin' Sidney, and Queen Ida all garnered Grammy awards during this pivotal period, opening the door to emerging artists who would continue the traditions.

Rockin' Dopsie recorded with Paul Simon on his album Graceland and also signed a major label deal during this time.

Beau Jocque was a monumental songwriter and innovator who infused zydeco with powerful beats and bass lines in the 1990s, adding striking production and elements of funk, hip-hop and rap.

A precocious 7-year-old zydeco accordionist, Guyland Leday, was featured in a 2006 HBO documentary about music and young people.

[24] 21st century zydeco artists include but not limited to Lil' Nate (son of Nathan Williams), Leon Chavis, Rusty Metoyer.