Rumba Dance

• The international rumba dance most often refers to the song and dance style originated by slaves of African descent in Cuba. Because the music is set in a slow-paced 4/4 time, the corresponding dance is meant to be unhurried, dramatic and sensual, with careful consideration placed upon leg, feet and hip movement. Ballroom rumba is the most well-known kind of rumba dance. It is called the dance of love.
  
  

Cuban Rumba

• The Cuban rumba is often used generically to mean the various musical rhythms and dance styles developed by African slaves in Cuba, based around a five part rhythm scheme called a clave. A Cuban rumba often includes vocal parts as well, sung with meaningless lyrics but rhythmically particular syllables. The music has been assimilated with other musical styles and genres, and often "rumba" is used widely to describe the overarching music and culture of the entire island nation.
  
  

Spanish Rumba

• This form of rumba is a style of Flamenco music originating in Spain, inspired by the genre's Cuban roots. The Spanish rumba is slower than other popular forms, owing to the influence of other styles of Flamenco music in its development. It should be played at four beats per bar, with the second and fourth accentuated.
  
  

Catalan Rumba

• Like the Spanish rumba, the Catalan rumba is a Spanish music, from Barcelona particularly. It is also played in a 4/4 time scheme. This form of rumba owes much to rock and roll music in that it is often played along with vocals, bass, guitar, piano and a multi-layering of drums. In Catalonia, the rumba is often considered a form of pop music.
  
  

Soukous

• The Soukous, also referred to as the African rumba, is a musical style developed from the Cuban rumba as well as other traditional forms of African music. Played in a more up tempo, fast speed, it is called kwassa kwassa, a popular African rhythm dance. Soukous music has blended with other types of African dance music and is an important component of West African culture, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is extremely popular.