By: Kimberly Ramkhalawan
October 7, 2022
The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) officially launched Calypso History Month 2022 this week, marking its 20th year since observances began.
This year the theme centers around “Calypso Revolution: The Rhythm and Rhyme of a People”.
According to TUCO, the theme signifies “A time of celebration in acknowledgement of the contribution made by the elders and those pioneers who fought for the preservation of the Calypso artform. A time of reflection in acknowledgement of the role that the calypso has played in the social and political development of a free and independent society. A time of protection in acknowledgement of the cultural legacy bestowed on our nation, the Caribbean region and the Americas by the Calypsonians. A time of affirmation in acknowledgement of the role that Calypso has played in the development of a Caribbean literacy tradition.”
The 20th Anniversary coincides with Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence Jubilee anniversary of 60 years.
Calypso music was developed in Trinidad in the 17th century from the West African Kaiso and canboulay music brought by enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean islands to work on sugar plantation. By the 1930s, names such as Attila the Hun, Roaring Lion and Lord Invader were popular. By 1944, “Rum and Coca-Cola” by the Andrews Sisters, a cover version of a Lord Invader song made calypso known abroad. Following in the footsteps of these greats was Lord Kitchener, who became popular with Lord Nelson even in Britain when he traveled as part of the Windrush Era. His music remains synonymous with the season, and even continued to sing until he passed in the year 2000.
Calypso music has been used by Calypsonians to provide sociopolitical commentary. Prior to the independence of Trinidad and Tobago, calypsonians would use their music to express the daily struggles of living in Trinidad, critique racial and economic inequalities, express opinions on social order, and voice overall concerns.
It is singing these songs that led to the creation the Calypso tent often frequented during the Carnival Season with the lead up to Dimanche Gras, the Sunday night before J’ouvert on Carnival Monday.
Celebrating Calypso History Month has often been an opportunity to bring to light the depths of which calypso emerged from, along with its traditions singers who immortalized local history into lyrics, and melodies telling of an era of struggle, affairs of the times, as well as life lessons put to tune.
In declaring the official start of the month, TUCO’s General Secretary, Shirlane Hendrickson, shared the role Calypso has played in archiving the nation’s history through its records. She quipped “If you want to know what took place in 1962, check ah Kaiso, if you want to know what happened in 1834 the year of Emancipation, check a Chantuelle”. However, in the same breath lamented that calypsos despite in its homeland, remained limited to the Carnival season and not enjoyed through out the year outside of fetes, celebratory parties.
This year the industry suffered losses with the passing of veterans The Mighty Bomber, Kenny J who was known for his Soca parang hits, as well as Blaxx, the latter two succumbing to COVID-19.
At the national awards ceremony held on Republic Day, observed on September 24th, popular soca artist Machel Montano received the Hummingbird Medal Gold, while Mark “Contender” John, Neil “Iwer” George, Sedley “Penguin” Joseph (posthumously), and Joseph Vautor “Mighty Lingo” La Placalière, were all recipients of the Hummingbird Medal Silver.
Today calypso in Trinidad and Tobago is carried on by names such as Terri Lyons, daughter of Soca star, Super Blue, who also won the 2022 Dimanche Gras Finals, Karen Asche, and youngster Aaron Duncan, while Calypso Rose, the first Calyspo Queen continues to make waves at the age of 82 around the world, headlining music festivals in France, other parts of Europe and the popular US festival, Coachella.
To celebrate Calypso History month, Caribbean Magazine Plus invites you to share your favourite vintage calypso and your favourite memory attached to it.
As for mine, they might be too many to list, but I think I will always say ‘Fire in the Wire’ by the Queen herself Calypso Rose.
And here it is below.
Video to Terri Lyons performance that led her to win Dimanche Gras 2022.