Calypso+Music

toc = = =History of Calypso=

= = Calypso music travels back to when the first African slaves were brought to work in the sugar plantations of Trinidad, because they were not allowed to socialize. Therefore many of the African slaves used to sing songs to bring up their spirits. They used calypso, "which is an West African "kaiso," meaning the form of communication as well as to mock the slave masters"(toronto-lime). Trinidad was colonized by the Spanish and received a substantial amount of French immigrants. Basically, many different culture had an influence on Calypso. Calypso in the past was sung in a “French-Creole dialect called Patois”. The leader of the group was called a "griot" and later became known as the "Chantuelle" and today they are called a"Calypsonian"(Toronto-Lime). Slowly Carnival became recognized by Toronto, specifically from the French playing the rhythm in Toronto. Calypso speaks about everyday life by pinpointing interpersonal difficulties. A true calypsonian, "draws from all aspects of society and uses wit, humour and hyperbole, to show the disparity between an ideal form of living and actual life" (Toronto-Lime). There are two forms of calypso; indoor and outdoor. Indoor calypsos place emphasis on lyrics over melody, and are telling a story; Standard English is the mark of the day and the use of hyperbole and critical commentary is the norm. Outdoor calypso focuses on catchy melodies, allusions to freeness and bacchanal (act of wildness; drama), sexual activity, excessive drinking, African identification and patois (French slang mixed with Creole).

=The Relationship of Calypso Music and Soca=

The evolution of soca evolved from the rhythm of calypso. The two main ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago are people from an East Indian background or from an African background. According to Wikipedia, Soca is "a dance music which is a mix of Trinidad's calypso and Indian music and rhythms, especially chutney music—it is not, as is often said, a fusion of soul and calypso. It combines the melodic lilting sound of calypso with an insistent percussion.” (wikipedia). Steel Pans, Soca, Chutney, all fall under the family of Calypso. Like Calypso, "soca was used for both social commentary and risqué humor, though the initial wave of soca acts eschewed the former". (Wikipedia)

Helpful Site: [|Calyso and Soca]

=The Effect of Calypso Music on Individuals=

Many people not only from the Caribbean, but from other places around the world listen to Calypso music because they rhythm is upbeat. The music tends to have a positive and calming effect. If there was a commercial on individuals going on a vacation to the Caribbean, you will notice that there are steel pans and Calypso music in the background to produce a relaxing effect. The sunshine, the food, the atmosphere, and the people all represent the rhythm of Calypsonian music. The hardship of slavery life led to the creation of music that will appear upbeat. This allows the effect of Calypso to be played in an positive environment where there is celebrations and simply just having a good time.

=The Golden Age Of Calypso Music=

The Golden Age of Calypso music was in the year 1914, where the first recording of Calypso Music was created. In the 1940's Lord Kitchener dominated the Calypsonian scene. The most favorite and common Calypso song "Day-O" was recorded in 1956 by Harry Beafonte. Now even though male dominated the Calypsonian music, these past few years women are now taken part in Calypso Music.

=Calypso Music and Media=

Calypso music is not as popular as Hip Hop, R and B, Reggae, and many more, but Calypso music has taken their music very far by making certain songs internationally known. For example: the song Day-O. When Caribbana come around in Toronto, many soca and Calypso music is played to get many people in the mood for partying. Even though the music became popular in that specific period of time, it allows people to recognize that music. Now even calypso music are playing on radio stations. The most popular raio station today among caribbean people is Flow 93.5. They play all the soca, Calypso, Reggae, Hip Hop, R & B and many other genre of music. This station is one of the most listened radio station and the first urban station that came out.

Many other station are becoming influenced in this carribean culture. If you look at Z 103.5, their station has become very poular because they play all types of music suited for their listeners. Z 103 now takes soca music and remixes the music to suit their own needs. A famous song that has been re-created by the radio station is the song "Turn me On". This song has been remixed so that the listeners of z 103.5 will listen to that type of music. This form of media entertainment allows Calypso music and soca music to be heard around the world.

=Famous Calypsonian Artist=

//Provided by Wikipedia//

->[|Belafonte, Harry] ->[|Mighty Sparrow] ->[|Johnny Russler & the Beach Bum Band] ->[|Lord Kitchener (1922-2000)]

=Famous Soca Songs and Artist=

//Provided by Wikipedia//
 * "[|Hot Hot Hot]" - [|Buster Poindexter] (originally recorded by [|Arrow (Soca Artist)])
 * "Follow the leader" - [|Soca Boys] (originally recorded by [|Nigel and Marvin Lewis])
 * "Who Let the Dogs Out" - [|Baha Men] (originally recorded by [|Anslem Douglas])
 * "Sweet Soca Music" - [|Sugar Daddy]
 * "Turn Me On" - [|Kevin Lyttle]
 * "Tempted to Touch" - [|Rupee]
 * "We Not Givin' Up" - Machel Montano and [|Xtatik]

=Images Of Famous Soca Singers=

David Rudder http://www.cott.org.tt/news/yearbook/1999/photos/rudder.jpg

Denise Plummer

http://www.cott.org.tt/news/yearbook/1999/photos/plummer.jpg

media type="youtube" key="H97lzEGoWQc" Found on YouTube.com

=References=

Visit TnT. "Soca Music". November 12, 2006. [|www.visittnt.com] Acquired on November 14, 2006 //I got a minimus of interesting facts from this site that allowed me to expand on ideas also I got the Calypso image from this site.//

The List of Calypsonian Artists. Acquired on November 4, 2006 Famous Calysonian provided by [|Music Artists] //This site helped me realize who were the famous Calypsonian and I listed them along with the urls under the pictures.//

Soca Music. November 3, 2006 Information of Soca provided by [|Wikipedia] //General information on soca music and its singers.//

Soca News. "Fact File: What Is Calypso?" Soca News. April 11, 2005.([|http://www.socanews.com/editorial/factfile/1040.shtml).] Acquired on Nov 15th 2006.

Hill, Don. "Types of Calypso" AllMusic.2006 (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=19:T627) Acquired on Nov 15, 2006.

Flow 93.5 //image//: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/NATURALSTATE/SPEXflowpic.jpg

Toronto Lime. "History of Music". Soca Music. June 11, 2002 http://www.toronto-lime.com/. Acquired on October 31, 2006 //*Save the best for last, because this site is where much information was found (Thank You). You can find much more detailed and specific ideas from Toronto-Lime.com as well as sampling the types of Calypso Music and Soca and many others that have evolved from it.//