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Calypso is a style of
Afro-Caribbean
music which
originated in the
British and
French
colonial islands of the
Caribbean
at about the start of the
20th century.
It is an especially integral part of
Trinidadian music.
The roots of the genre lay in the
arrival of African slaves, who, not
being allowed to speak with each other,
communicated through song. This forged a
sense of community among the Africans,
who saw their colonial masters change
rapidly, bringing French, Spanish and
British music styles to the island of
Trinidad. The French brought
Carnival to
Trinidad, and calypso competitions at
Carnival grew in popularity, especially
after the abolition of slavery in
1834. While
most authorities stress the African
roots of calypso, in his
1986 book
Calypso from France to Trinidad, 800
Years of History
veteran calypsonian
The Roaring Lion
(Rafael de Leon)
asserted that calypso descends from the
music of the medieval French
troubadours.
Over 100 years ago, calypso further
evolved into a way of spreading news
around
Trinidad.
Politicians,
journalists,
and public figures often debated the
content of each song, and many islanders
considered these songs the most reliable
news source.
Calypsonians
pushed the boundaries of free speech as
their lyrics spread news of any topic
relevant to island life, including
speaking out against political
corruption. Eventually British rule
enforced
censorship
and police began to scan these songs for
damaging content. Even with this
censorship, calypsos continued to push
boundaries.
The first calypso
recordings
came in
1914, and
inaugurated the
Golden Age of Calypso. By the
1920s,
calypso tents were set up at Carnival
for calypsonians to practice before
competitions; these have now become
showcases for new music.
The first major stars of calypso started
crossing over to new audiences worldwide
in the late 1930s. Attila the Hun,
Roaring Lion and Lord Invader were
first, followed by Lord Kitchener, one
of the longest-lasting calypso stars in
history -- he continued to release hit
records until his death in 2000. 1944's
Rum and Coca-Cola
by the Andrews Sisters, a cover of a
Lord Invader song, became an American
hit. The most well-known calypso,
however, is the "Banana Boat Song", a
traditional Jamaican folk song, whose
best-known rendition was done by Harry
Belafonte on his 1956 album Calypso;
Calypso was the first full-length
record to sell more than a million
copies. 1956 also saw the massive
international hit Jean and Dinah
by Mighty Sparrow. This song was a sly
comment as a "plan of action" for the
calypsonian on the easy availability of
prostitutes after the closing of the
United States naval base on Trinidad at
Chagaramas. |
