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 and was shaped by French planters and their slaves who came from the French Antilles.

Traditionally, calypso songs were sung in a French creole and led by a storyteller called a griot. Over time, these singers became known as chantuelle and later calypsonian. As English became more common, calypso also changed, allowing people to speak out about their leaders and share their thoughts with the world.

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, which 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 started in Trinidad in the 17th century, influenced by West African traditions like Kaiso and Canboulay. Enslaved Africans used calypso to communicate and express themselves, often singing in French Creole and sharing stories through a special singer called a griot, later known as a chantuelle and then a calypsonian.

In the 19th century, calypso evolved by mixing different styles such as masquerade songs like lavway, French Creole belair, and calinda stick-fighting chants. It became closely tied to Carnival, which the French brought to Trinidad, and grew in popularity 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 followed, including the first sung in English by Julian Whiterose, known as the Iron Duke. During World War I, most calypso recordings were instrumental pieces.

Calypso became an important way to share news and opinions in Trinidad. Singers, known as calypsonians, used their songs to talk about everyday life, politics, and important events. They found clever ways to share their messages, even when faced with 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 began to gain worldwide attention in the late 1930s. Singers like Attila the Hun, Roaring Lion, and Lord Invader were among the earliest, followed by Lord Kitchener, who 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 originally by 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 extremely 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 often 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, unfair treatment, 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 from colonial control and to 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.