Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. It has its roots in compas music from Haiti, cadence music from Dominica, as popularised by Grammacks and Exile One. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local creole of French with English and African influences, all three of which contribute the sound. In Africa, it is popular in franco/luso countries, while on the African islands of Cape Verde they have developed their own type of Zouk. In Europe it is particularly popular in France, and in North America the Canadian province of Quebec.   Wikipedia