What defines calypso music?

What defines calypso music?

calypso, a type of folk song primarily from Trinidad though sung elsewhere in the southern and eastern Caribbean islands. The subject of a calypso text, usually witty and satiric, is a local and topical event of political and social import, and the tone is one of allusion, mockery, and double entendre.

Are there any female calypso singers?

“Women of Calypso” features three of the top female calypso singers in Trinidad, W.I., Singing Saundra, Shereen Caesar, and Kizzie Ruiz and is an evening of music, theater, social commentary, and autobiographical musings in a concert setting.

What is the meaning of kaiso?

go forward, go ahead
The accompanying chant used to egg on and lead the dancer to a successful exit went something like this: “kaiso, kaiso, kaiso” —– meaning “go forward, go ahead, more”. The dance was later named limbo. Ka means go. Iso means forward. Kaiso therefore, means go forward in the Ibibio language of Southeastern Nigeria.

What is a calypso dancer?

The Calypso dance in Trinidad originally was the Bamboula and or Chica of the 1880’s, while today it is referred to ‘Jump Dancing’ during Carnival in the Port of Spain. The name Calypso is also used for a certain plant found in Alaska which the Flower Pods look like the costumes the dancers wear.

Who is the most famous calypso singer?

Slinger Francisco CMT
Slinger Francisco CMT (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Trinidadian citizenship. Known as the “Calypso King of the World”, he is one of the best-known and most successful calypsonians.

What is the most popular instrument in calypso music?

Steel Drums To make these instruments, which are also called pans, experimenters began to hammer and tune the bottoms of drums or oil drum lids to create different pitches. This steel drum is still the most widely-recognized instrument of Calypso music and is played with rubber mallets.

What is a calypsonian in Trinidad?

A calypsonian, originally known as a chantwell, is a musician from the anglophone Caribbean who sings songs of the calypso genre. Calypsos are musical renditions having their origins in the West African griot tradition. As a direct result, Trinidad became known as the land of calypso.

Who is the best artist in Trinidad?

Top 15 Artists to Watch From Trinidad and Tobago in 2021

• Coutain. Coutain. 4.18K subscribers.
• Freetown Collective. Freetown Collective.
• Tafari. TAFARIOFFICIALVEVO.
• Hey Choppi. JulianspromosTV | Soca Music.
• Braveboy. Casely.
• Kalpee. Kalpee.
• College Boy Jesse. JulianspromosTV | Soca Music.
• Mical Teja. JulianspromosTV | Soca Music.

When was Kaiso music popular?

The style originated in the 1830s and was well-known throughout the Caribbean but only became internationally popular in the 1950s when Jamaican-born Harry Belafonte brought it to America.

What is the bent leg for a calypso called?

How to Improve Your Calypso Leap. A deep plie is important for achieving the height a dancer needs to properly carry out a leap. A plie is simply a deep knee bend, and the last step dancers take before leaving the ground. The deeper the plie, the more power dancers will have in their legs to push off of the ground.

Is calypsonian Sparrow alive?

Slinger Francisco, “The Mighty Sparrow” is alive. The Consulate General was informed of his condition today 12th September, 2013 at 8:37am by his son, Mr. Richard Francisco, who has been taking care of his father since he fell ill. According to him, the cultural icon “is resting comfortably, and he’s alive and well.

What does it mean to be a calypsonian?

An artsite who sings, composes and performs Calypso music is considered a Calypsonian. Calypsonaians represent the chroniclers of time and events; they are the voice of the voiceless, prophets and naysayers, entertainers, messengers and advocates.

What was the role of the calypsonian monarchy?

The Calypsonian is to be as a balance wheel, providing new insight, as to how calypso can be a medium to curb further decline of the morals and values of our society. Obligations of a Calypso Monarch. A monarchy was an important aspect of the cultural and political history of a nation.

What kind of music does a calypsonian sing?

A calypsonian, originally known as a chantwell, is a musician, from the anglophone Caribbean, who sings songs of the calypso genre. Calypsos are musical renditions having their origins in the West African griot tradition.

What was the role of the Calypso King?

Obligations of a Calypso Monarch. So too, today, the Calypso Monarch is a living representative of the generations of Calypso Kings, Calypso Queens, and of all Calypso Monarchs who reigned before. The Calypso Monarch is the “Guardian of the rights of Calypsonians” and protector of the artform.