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. 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.

Since both reggae from Jamaica and soca from Trinidad are very popular in Barbados, a fusion of the two was always likely. This fusion came in the form of ragga-soca - a rhythm that is faster than reggae but slower than up-tempo soca.

Ringbang is a fusion of all the music of the Caribbean with the focus is on the rhythm rather than the melody. Since it's creation in 1994, ringbang has grown in popularity in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean.

SOCA

Soca is a descendant of calypso. In the early 1970s, electric guitar and bass were added to the traditional calypso ensemble, and by the '80s most groups were using synthesizers as well. The increasing sophistication of recording technology and the continued competition between groups directed the music toward a more complicated and thought-out musical style that focused on the musical sound rather than the texts. The suitability of the music for dancing, rather than listening, also became an important factor. Around 1970, the term "soca," meaning "soul-calypso," was coined to refer to the new, energetic, and disco-influenced "party" music; hence, party soca. The rhythm is not entirely standardized but its character is captured by a steady bass drumbeat against which a highly syncopated cymbal and snare drum pattern are juxtaposed. As in reggae, the bass line, also syncopated, is particularly important and the bass is often the predominant instrument in the mix. Because of the competitive nature of the music, musicians often dress in elaborate costumes, incorporate a variety of gimmicks, and use stage effects to stand out among their rivals.

Copyright THE BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY, 2004
Copyright All Music Guide, 2004 (Keith Johnson)