Origin of the Party and Freedom
What is Calypso?
Calypso is a style of music that originates from Trinidad and Tobago that has a syncopated African Rhythm and used to speak on social topics. Calypso was created because slaves were forbidden to speak with one another by their plantation owners. Instead, they opted to use music as a way of communicating with one another. It is officially defined as “a style of music originating in the West Indies, marked by lively duple meter, and having lyrics that are often improvised and usually satirize local personalities and events” according to Merriam-Webster.com.
Songs of freedom
While its are mainly of African origin, and can be traced to the traditions of West Africans in terms of music , structure and function. Calypso , has been known as a “poor man’s newspaper” in times when literacy was not wide spread as today. Its origins traces back to its roots to African traditions of improvised songs of “self-praise and scorn for others, brought here by enslaved peoples, It developed to become both a dance and cultural record of events at first in single tone style with implicit meanings and a spicy flavour.” according to National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago.
The roots of “Calypso” are diverse and can be argued that it came from “kaiso” a Hausa word for “ bravo” ; others say the word came from the French “carrousseaux” a drinking party; or the Spanish “ calliso” a tropical song ; or the Carib “ carieto” ,meaning the same thing.
The following is an extract taken from NCCTT.org and talks about the rise of calypso in to main stream with mentions of Calypso taking numerous forms.
“The first wave of professional calypsonians became known as the Old Bridgade, including singers such as Growling Tiger, Lord Beginner, Atilla the Hun , the Roaring Lion and Lord Pretender. By 1945 a new wave of singers rose to meet the demand for more entertaining songs. This Young Brigade included Lord Kitchener , Mighty Spoiler , Mighty Dictator and Lord Wonder, and later the Mighty Sparrow.
The Black Power marches in 1970 once again triggered a new generation of singers such as Black Stalin and Brother Valentino. A broad range of voices and musical experimentation was ushered in by Shadow, Maestro, Merchant and Explainer. In 1978 saw the Calypso Monarch competition being won by a woman for the first time. Calypso Rose signalled the entry of many more women on the Calypso stage.
Over the years the calypso art form has been transformed and presented in various categories the major ones being;-
Political Commentary, Social Commentary, Humorous, Soca, Ragga Soca, Chutney Soca , and Nation Building. ( “Roots and Traditions” produced for NCC )”
– National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago
Calypso Music now has two categories: Extempo and Modern Calypso. Extempo Music is a form of Calypso that is similar to Kaiso music where the lyrics is the main feature and is composed on the spot, whereas Modern Calypso is composed previously with a live band of different instruments.
Conclusion:
Calypso has roots running deep with in Caribbean history and will always be know as the start of it all from speaking up against slavery; to current events; to starting new forms of music and birthing Soca continuing its legacy for generations to come.
Resources:
http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/carnival-history/history-of-carnival/history-of-calypso.html
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calypso
“https://medium.com/@jada.steuart/soca-then-and-now-d5674e9f2b0c”
Calypso to Soca: The Transition 