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Reggae
Calypso Soca
Lovers Rock Dance Hall
REGGAE:
Pronounced RAY GAY, was first developed
on the Caribbean island of Jamaica in the 1960's. It was
primarily performed by poor natives for entertainment. It later
became popular in Europe and through out the United States. Reggae
music has had a tremendous effect on the influence of soul, rhythm and
blues, and even rock music.
Most reggae music lyrics reflect social
concerns that deal with relationships, religious beliefs, world issues
and poverty in the Caribbean. Reggae songs are sung with strong
native Jamaican accents accompanied with electric or acoustic guitars
and drums which exude short repetitive rhythmic patterns. The
rhythms are sometimes complex and roar with a thumping bass.
Reggae music is developed from two popular
styles of Jamaican music - SKA and ROCK STEADY. Reggae music
gained popularity outside of Jamaica in the late 1960's because of a
number of musicians namely Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy
Cliff and Gregory Issacs. Bob Marley (The Legend), the most
Popular Reggae star, formed a group called the Wailers. He died
in 1981 at the early age of 36.
Today Reggae music is known throughout the
world as the most loved music ever. Whether you are age 9 or 99, you
will enjoy the great sounds of Reggae music. Open your hearts
and feel the rhythm of JAMAICA!
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- Dance Hall
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 Bob
Marley, Peter
Tosh, and Bunny
Wailer were mid 60s Jamaican dancehall stars prior to becoming
international stadium headliners. Long before Coxsonne
Dodd and Duke
Reid were regarded as legendary Reggae producers, they were sound
system (mobile disco) operators participating in some of the fiercest
sound clashes to have taken place on the dancehall turntables!
Today's dancehall continues to be one of Jamaica's most energized
environments, bubbling with a creativity expressed through outrageous
fashions, innovative dance steps, a distinct vernacular and, of
course, its ever evolving music.
 Dancehall
music is present day Jamaican Reggae, voicing
the young (and the not so young) population's concerns, conflicts,
fantasies and frustrations, while offering escapist, humorous
observations of oppressive situations.
 Although
the dancehall scene is a male dominated one, it is the female, like a
queen, who reigns supreme.
Her individualized, risqué fashions, adorned with excessive amounts of
jewelry, pastel colored wigs, thigh high patent leather boots and
enticing makeup express a bold and defiant sexuality. As the Reggae
rhythms blare from the sound system speakers, she "whines"
her pelvis, rolls her waistline and gyrates her body in the latest
dance moves, leaving her male subjects breathless!
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- Lovers Rock
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- Reggae
In Barbados
In the summer
of 1999 singer / songwriter David Kirton, saxophonist Arturo Tappin and
vocalist Biggy Irie formed the Barbados Invasion of the Spirit of Unity Reggae
Tour.
Sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority, Tourism Development Corporation
and Ministry of Culture our local artists proved that Reggae music had become
not just one island's sound, but the voice of the entire Caribbean. Rhythm Music
magazine, August 1999, interviewed the Minister of Education and Culture, The
Honorable Mia Mottley about the tour. She summed up Barbados growing feeling
towards culture and Government's decision to support creative arts by
saying, “This (timing of the tour) is a defining moment for us
Barbadians. We believe Barbados’
greatest potential lies in the enhancement of its people. The artists need
support on an ongoing basis. The tourism product must no longer reflect sun,
sea and sand but who we are as a people”.
This and many other innovative initiatives are being implemented and allowing
for Barbadian music of all types to be heard in the international arena.
CALYPSO
 CALYPSO:
Pronounced KUH LIHP SOH, is a style of music that
originated on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Calypso
combines features of African music, Spanish musical styles, American jazz and rhythm and blues. They are usually accompanied by steel
bands, which usually comprised of guitars, flutes, saxophones and
groups of drums made from steel oil containers played with sticks.
Calypso songs are mostly improvisations based
on standard melodic types. Lyrics are considered to be very a
important reflection of the natives way of life. Lyrics are
formed to express personal philosophy, comments on local or world
events and social problems. The most commonly sung lyrics
express gossips pertaining to male and female relationships.
Calypso was first originated in
singing competitions by slaves during Carnivals
in Trinidad. After Great Britain abolished slavery in the
1830's, the competitions expanded. Originally Calypso sung in
French-Creole dialect called PATOIS (pronounced PAT-WAS). The
most popular Calypso singer in the world today is Sparrow (referred to
as The Mighty Sparrow). The most popular recorded songs are
"Day-O" or "Banana Boat Song" and "Mary
Ann".
Try listening to Calypso music
today. You will enjoy the tantalizing effect it has on your
entire body. Better yet buy a C.D.; you'll be glad you did.
Carnival:
A time of masquerading in costumes and dancing to Calypso and
Soca music in the streets to the exuberant sounds of steel bands and
disc jockeys. Some of the best known Carnivals are the West
Indian American Carnival (Brooklyn NY), the Canadian Carnival (Toronto
Canada), the Trinidadian Carnival and the Jamaican Carnival. The
Trinidadian and the West Indian American Carnivals are said to be the two biggest street festivals in the world.
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- Soca
SOCA
("Soul of Calypso"): Came about when a
calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago known as Ras Shorty I was
experimenting with mixing African and Indian rhythms to create a more
up-tempo form of Calypso.
Soca music has evolved and continues to
evolve to even greater heights. Today there are other forms of
Soca, such as Chutney Soca, Ragga Soca, and Rapso, to name a few.
Chutney Soca which originated in Trinidad and Tobago as did
Calypso is a blend of traditional Indian music and Calypso. Dancehall
reggae is what many think of when they hear Ragga Soca. This was
made popular by a Barbados Calypso singer known as Red Plastic Bag.
Rapso as the name portrays is a creative blend of Rap and Soca.
Some of the most popular Soca artist are
Super Blue, Iwer George, Colin Lucas and Ronnie McIntosh.
- Soca in Barbados
BARBADOS
MUSIC: CALYPSO: The derivation of calypso
rhythms can be traced back to the arrival of the first African slaves to
Barbados and other Caribbean islands in the seventeenth century. The artform,
which was developed in Trinidad, combines the skills of story-telling,
singing and instrument making, and has since been influenced by European,
North American and other Caribbean cultures. Calypso is a unique form of
music that is an integral part of the Barbadian cultural landscape.
The calypso usually involves some social commentary, typically a humorous
satire on social and political events, with an infectious beat. Other
calypsos are strictly for "wuking up"!
Calypso became highly organized in Barbados in 1974, with the revival of the
Crop Over Festival. Today, calypso is an integral part of the festival, with
the Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso Competition being one of the most popular events.
During Crop Over, approximately nine calypso tents (organized groups of
calypsonians) perform several times weekly. Eighteen of these calypsonians
go forward to the semi-finals of the competition, with seven advancing to
the finals to challenge the previous year's monarch.
A number of Barbadian artistes have gained exposure
and recognition throughout the Caribbean and beyond due to their natural
talent, musical creativity and perseverance.
Among those that have received such recognition are: The Mighty Gabby, David
Kirton, Red Plastic Bag and John King, bands Krosfyah, Square One and
Spice, and jazz saxophonist Arturo Tappin, who continues to thrill audiences
throughout the world.
On this small island in the sun, there is a diverse musical landscape that
continues to produce outstanding artistes, welcomes international performers
and influences the development of music worldwide.
The youth of Barbados are also involved in calypso,
with several children (under 16 years) taking part in the Junior Calypso
Monarch competition, which serves as a training ground for the calypsonians
of the future. Based on the talent and enthusiasm of these youngsters, the
future of calypso in Barbados looks very bright.
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