Calypso music

Calypso is a lively style of music that began in Trinidad and Tobago among Afro-Trinidadians in the 1800s. It grew from the rhythms and songs of West African Kaiso.

Traditionally, calypso songs were sung in a French creole. Over time, the language changed to English. This allowed people to share their thoughts more easily.

Today, calypso has many related styles across the Caribbean, such as benna in Antigua and Barbuda, mento from Jamaican folk music, spouge from Barbados, Dominica cadence-lypso, and soca music. Soca mixes calypso with sounds from Haiti, chutney, soul, funk, and Latin music.

Etymology

The name "calypso" likely started as "kaiso," a word used to cheer someone on. It may have come from words in the Efik and Ibibio languages. Over time, this word changed and became "calypso" by the 1930s. Some believe it also came from a French word that changed through local speech patterns. The first known mention of "calypso" was in 1882, describing a dance.

Main article: Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso: Traditions in the Making

History of calypso

Calypso music began in Trinidad in the 17th century. It was inspired by West African traditions like Kaiso and Canboulay. Enslaved Africans used calypso to share messages and tell stories. They often sang in French Creole and had special singers called a griot, later known as a chantuelle and then a calypsonian.

In the 19th century, calypso changed by mixing different styles. These included masquerade songs like lavway, French Creole belair, and calinda chants. Calypso became linked to Carnival, which the French brought to Trinidad. It grew more popular after the abolition of slavery in 1834.

Recordings

The first calypso song was recorded in 1912 by Lovey's String Band in New York City. More recordings came after that. The first calypso sung in English was by Julian Whiterose, called the Iron Duke. During World War I, most calypso songs were just instruments.

Calypso became a way to share news and ideas in Trinidad. Singers, called calypsonians, used their songs to talk about daily life, leaders, and big events. They found smart ways to share their thoughts, even when there were rules about what they could say.

Selected recordings

Here are some famous Calypso songs from different years:

• Deliso by Atilla The Hun (1938)
• Suzi-Qu by Roaring Lion (1940)
• My Intention Is War by Lord Invader (1946)
• Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen by The Duke of Iron (1950)
• General Election by Lord Beginner (1950)
• Court House Scandal by Calypso Mama (1957)

Popularity

The first big calypso stars started to become famous in the late 1930s. Singers like Attila the Hun, Roaring Lion, and Lord Invader were some of the earliest. Lord Kitchener kept making popular songs until the year 2000. In 1944, the Andrews Sisters had a big hit in America with “Rum and Coca-Cola”, a song that started with Lord Invader.

In 1956, Mighty Sparrow won a music contest in Trinidad. That same year, Harry Belafonte’s version of the “Banana Boat Song”, or “Day-O”, became very popular. His album Calypso was the first to sell over a million copies. Later, calypso mixed with other music styles to create soca, known for its fast beats and danceable rhythms.

Sociopolitical influence

Calypso music has been used to share important messages about society and politics. Before Trinidad and Tobago became independent, calypsonians used their songs to talk about the hard times people faced and their hopes for a better future. During the time when Britain ruled the island, calypso music helped people express their wish to be free and stand up for their rights.

Famous calypsonians like Neville Marcano, called the Growling Tiger, and Lord Kitchener used their music to speak out about important issues. After independence in 1962, calypso continued to be a way to celebrate and comment on the nation's new status. Calypso competitions became popular events that brought people together and helped build a sense of national pride.