Rebetiko is a genre of greek music which first appeared at the end of the 19th century. The genre was developed out of the harbours where the Greek working classes lived; it later moved with the workers to other urban centres. Rebetiko combines traditional Greek folk songs with the more contemporary songs sang in large Greek cities. Rebetiko songs speak of poverty, social injustice, love and freedom from fascism. The most famous composers of rebetiko music are Vassilis Tsitsanis, Markos Vamvakaris, Bayanderas and Perpiniadis,Tsaousakis.
Laika songs evolved from Rebetiko, simplifying the music and making it easier on the ear and more suitable for mass distribution. Laika is Greek popular music and is the most prevelant genre of music in Greece. Laika songs, like modern popular music worldwide, sing of love and loss. In the 60's and 70's laika songs became central to the newly emerging fashionable nightlife in Greece. The wealthier working classes and middle classes rejected rebetika songs due to their links with the Middle East. Laika songs were seen as more refined and fashionable.
Nisiotika is the music of the central Aegean Sea, the islands of Sporades, Dodecanese and Cyclades. In the 1970's and 80's popular Greek musicians, such as Giannis Parios, began singing Nisiotika songs and they became popular nationally. The lute and the violin are the central instruments of Nisiotika music. Nisiotika are songs with a gentle rhythm and soothing melodies.
Cretan Music is central to Cretan Culture which is one of the most vibrant cultures in Greece. Cretan music is popular on the isle of Crete, on other Greek islands and across the Greek mainland. Its popularity hasn't, however, extended beyond Greece. Cretan music is characterized by its improvisation; it evolved out of ancient Greek Music, Byzantine Music and Arabian music.