Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic in 1960 as a form of popular guitar music influenced by genres like merengue. The first bachata song was a cover of bolero songs. Modern bachata artists like Aventura and Frank Reyes have helped popularize the genre around the world by mixing it with styles like R&B and hip hop. Prince Royce is also a popular contemporary bachata artist, born in New York to Dominican parents. The main instruments of bachata are guitar, bongos, and guira.