The Carrier family of Louisiana is as synonymous with Zydeco music as beads are with Mardi Gras. Troy Carrier, better known as Dikki Du, marks the third generation of the Carriers to keep the musical tradition alive.

“Zydeco is a family thing. If one plays, everyone plays,” says Carrier.

He picked up the washboard at nine years old, the drums at 13, and traveled the world professionally at 19. But Carrier’s life changed when we decided he wanted a band of his own.