Etienne Charles (b. July 24, 1983 Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago) comes from a rich legacy of folk musical tradition going back four generations. His great-grandfather, Clement Monlouis emigrated to Trinidad from Martinique and soon after formed his band in Mayaro. His grandfather, Ralph Charles' distinct cuatro style can be heard on the classic folk and calypso recordings of the Growling Tiger. His father, Francis Charles, was a member of Phase II Pan Groove, one of the world’s top steel bands and one that Etienne himself would later join.