By Helen Grenade
August 9, 2024
Kelly Clyne, whose sobriquet is “Rootsman Kelly” is a Calypso and Soca stalwart whose music remains iconic, is one prominent and influential Calypso King of Kings, who is a Grenadian. He launched his musical career in the year 1982 at the tender age of thirteen. He quickly began to rise in popularity after winning his first Calypso competition, and since then, his calypso career was born. Having an ardent love for calypso and Soca Music, it’s no surprise that Kelly Clyne has made a name for himself in the music industry.
His songs are unique and catchy. His vocal skills and prowess have merited the peak he has reached in the Calypso and Soca world. He is well regarded in Grenada and the Diaspora by his countless adoring fans and musicians. R'”Rootsman Kelly” sings with great imagination, subtlety and beauty, and thanks to his eloquence and extraordinary charisma. Kelly Clyne is generally considered to have elevated the perception of Calypso music to an art Form on a par with other traditional genres of music.
Calypso and Soca music is his total life and his commitment to it is incomparable and unalterable. He is a giant among giants in the world of Calypso music. He is recognized as one of the Grenadian Calypso Masters of our time. A notable Calypsonian in his own right, who performs independently and is leaving an indelible mark and a strong impression on the Calypso music world.
“Rootsman Kelly” is so skillful with the guitar that his improvisations are often performances designed to show off his stylistic playing and singing. He has become a name to conjure with. He is using his medium to celebrate creativity, the artistic process, and honor his, and others, legacies.
His song “Bawling With Their Mouth Closed”, beautifully reflects on the present Grenadian government struggles to create the economy and employment for the youths. His lyrics address the false electoral promises made by the present lead about “Transformation” to win the 2021 general election. By simply singing his truth, he is harnessing the power to liberate Grenada’s people in society.
Kelly Clyne has built his reputation on being a musical gladiator at heart. He is always competing, always up for a challenge, battling for position as one of the great Calypso artists in 2024. “Rootsman Kelly” is having an enormous impact on the youths and other Calypso artists in Grenada and the Diaspora.
He has been able to stand out as a great artist, winning the Calypso Monarch on various occasions. The song “Bawling With Their Mouth Closed” uses humor and some ridicule to get politicians to work for the people. You get paid when you get things done, not before giving themselves pay increases.
His influence is pervasive and throughout the course of his musical career, he has created a lasting legacy for the calypso age. No doubt he is leaving a lasting mark on Calypso music and celebrity as a whole,
Kelly Clyne’ Rootsman Kelly” hails from St. David exudes a combination of exoticism and eroticism, catapulting him to fame. He has succeeded due to his determination and hard work. What is it about his political Commentary lyrics that seems to anger some people, getting them so defensive, even though his songs are gaining widespread acceptance with the majority of people and his fans, both at home and abroad. Is it because some can’t handle the truth?
“Rootsman Kelly” must never change any suggestive lyrics in his songs to avoid offending anyone who doesn’t agree with it. As the late great legendary Icon, “Black Stalin would say, “Come With it”. Calypso political commentary is a serious Art Form.
Unless Calypso Artists speak up and address lies told by their leaders in their songs, it will creep continually into our society and destroy our young people. Political commentary lyrics are the Artists points of view. He or she must not allow their music to be crushed by any establishment moral panic. It’s a testament to their musical ability to use lyrics as a medium for emotional expression, inviting their fans and listeners to engage with their songs on a deeper level.
“Rootsman Kelly” has something in common with other international and some local artists, such as “Sugar Aloes” “Black Stalin”, “Cro Cro”, “Black Wizard: “Mighty Sparrow”, “Flying Turkey” ” Praying Mantis”, “Mighty Chalkdust” and many more legendary artists.
These superstars never allowed themselves to be intimidated for their use of political commentary renditions. Their songs are popular for many reasons. Those who can’t handle the truth, continue to hyperventilate with defamatory accusations, forgetting while “Rootsman Kelly” is one courageous and fearless Calypso and Soca Artist to be reckoned with, and will never allow himself to be intimidated.