Learn from Kaiso

Regular readers of this column would have gleaned by now that I pay a good deal of attention to the calypso art form. Regrettably, kaiso is only on the main menu in our Caribbean societies during the Carnival season, in spite of the fact that it is our own creation, our music. On a day-to-day basis, in every Caribbean society, it is relegated to second fiddle to many other forms of music not indigenous to our region. However, that is a matter for discussion at another time.

This week, I am taking a look at how our calypsonians use the art form to most skilfully deal with social issues, far better than our politicians for instance. If we pay attention to our kaiso bards, we can learn a great deal about our society, often about issues we either take for granted or just skim the surfaces. Our late great Mystic Prowler who won the Calypso Monarch title in T&T in 1998, had advised us to “Look below the surface”. Let’s do that now, using the 2024 competition in that country as a guideline.

There was a rich variety of topics covered, not just at the finals of the competition but even in songs which did not make it to the “Big Stage”. Very relevant ones at that covering big social issues in our society. Among these issues, crime must be the most common factor throughout the region. Not only do we seem to be trying to outdo each other in terms of crime rates but increasingly our children are becoming victims, directly, or socially in regard to how they are affected.

There was the direct approach as taken by one of two outstanding female presentations. “No excuse for crime” by the eventual runner-up, Karene Asche, herself a former Monarch. I will come to the other later, but for now, let’s deal with Karene’s presentation.

Fundamentally, she debunked the idea peddled by accommodating parents and opportunistic politicians, that much of our crime stems from poverty in society.

B*****hit said Karene.

Her choice of the topic has also spurred related discussion about the causes of crime in our society. We find everyone and everything else to blame but seem to fail to understand the changes which our societies have undergone or been forced to undergo over the last half of a century and our own historical experiences. Our young people grew up to notice our virtual worshipping of the gun as a source of power. If you have a gun, legal or illegal, then you are powerful, important. When people do not understand their role in society, then you are in dangerous territory. We are finding that now, only that many of us still do not understand.

There were several other very interesting topics covered in the entire calypso competition, especially by a number of the younger calypsonians. There was, for instance, the offering of another former Monarch still a young man, Helon Francis. He has been appointed as an Independent Senator, and typical of our societies, has had to face criticisms for it. He responded with “Representing we”, setting out his perspective of how a calypsonian like himself should deal with such an appointment.

Interestingly, there were two very interesting offerings, one cautioning our people to “Never be ungrateful”, and the other, a classic by the second female calypsonian in the finals, Stacey Sobers-Abraham, urging all who “make it” in the system, to never forget one’s roots, to always remember your success is not due to your efforts and yours alone, that others have contributed along the way. Therefore, she urges, one should always, “Respect the tribe”, remember how you got to the top.

There were many more very topical, and relevant calypsos. For instance, our young people, particularly those associated with the newly created “Prime Ministerial Council on Youth”, may find it interesting to listen to a popular offering entitled Dem Advisors”. It reminds me of a much older calypso, “Who will guard the guards”. Check it out!

I would hope that our calypsonians pay a lot more attention to their choice of topics, not just seek cheap popularity. In fact, in the T&T competition, veteran calypsonian, former Monarch, one-time Minister of government and current Head of the National Carnival Commission, the Mighty Gypsy, has come in for strong criticism not only for alleged conflict of interest, but also for his poor taste, in the choice of his offering in the Dimanche Gras competition. He chose cheap popularity in singing “Yo mudda can’t” , a traditional “tent” calypso, found very distasteful for the occasion.

Let us use the art form to uplift our culture, our society, and our people as a whole.

• Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.