What is "ringbang"

n. A Caribbean fusion of music genres with an associated philosophy and aesthetic based on communication.

Ringbang is variously a Caribbean fusion of music genres, a philosophy, and an aesthetic propounded by Eddy Grant in 1994.

In an interview ca. 2000, Grant defined ringbang thus:

In applying ringbang to music, Grant attempted to define a meta-style purported to encompass all Caribbean rhythms such as to create a musical lingua franca. He wished this multicultural style to place no restrictions on instrumentation, and he said that he wanted no single country or culture to lay claim to it. Among ringbang's stylistic influences are calypso, reggae, soca, tuk, and zouk.

Grant reports that the word ringbang comes from vocalists scat singing "Ringa-ringa-ringbang!", and that he chose the word one day in 1993, while standing in recording engineer Frank Agarrat's backyard in Trinidad.