Calypso is considered "the voice of the people" as far back as I can remember. Soca, which I classify a bi-product of calypso should, in some small way, carry-on in that same tradition; that is not the case though.
With all that's happening in Trinidad and Tobago, none of the soca tunes that I have heard make any mention of anything happening presently or in the recent past. The main topics presented are: Bam-cee, Bumper, Wuk-up, Slow-wine, Wine-down and a bit of Rag & Flag; all done with a tint of Jamaican dialect done in Trinidadian style.
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Great observation! Could it be because it was the "voice" of Black people? Funny, they say "soca" is a juxtaposition of calypso and soca. However, what we must remember is that "soul" music, came out of the souls of Black Americans, and dealt with a variety of their day to day manipulations, in dealing with poverty, and a racist/oppressive society. Both genres stemmed out of the African "griot tradition". (See "Calypso Dreams", and read "Calypso & Society in Pre-Independence Trinidad", by Gordon Rohler.)
The "traditional" calypso, with its African rudiments, and its information-filled content, became a threat to the colonial political hierarchy, the latter of whom, being students of Machiavellian principles, saw (and still see), an informed mass as dangerous. "Culture" became a casualty, and the African story-teller becomes extinct. The steelband became compromised; infiltrated and eventually controlled by, and, in most cases marginalized by an elitist society, where race and class are recognized over service to country and national duty. The areas around Port Of Spain were suppositories of knowledge and information, and these included Laventille, the "birthplace of the revolution" in Trinidad. And, of course, everyone is familiar with the "University Of Woodford Square". It would be extremely naive to believe that drugs and guns mysteriously now rule these (predominantly) "Black" areas. (Refer to the DVD. "Crips and Bloods - Made In America", to see the history of gang violence in the US. Trinidad is a carbon-copy.)
The oral (and moral) traditions of hip-hop, r&b, reggae, and calypso, now removed, are replaced with content that not only fail to uplift, but, further, are intentionally designed to target young minds, into shaping their value systems. The masses (again, mainly "Black" and poor) are forced to assimilate into the "culture" of the ruling class - racially defined as "Caucasian", which includes East Indians. (See ANY dictionary.) So then, the "bumper", "poonannie", "bitch", "niggas", and "hos" (yes, that's how they spell it) became the keywords rewarded by the music industry. And that brings us to where we are today. It is RACISM, redesigned. Institutionalized Racism, designed to control and oppress people of African descent. (Refer to the works of Tim Wise on this topic. BTW - He is a white lecturer.)
I understand that "racism" (it is NOT "racialism" or "racial", and it is "racist", not "racialist"), is a very sensitive subject, and it, for some reason, seems even more uncomfortable for many members of this site, however, please know, that I AM NOT RACIST! I hate racism with a passion! And, I have been a victim numerous times of racism, both at home and abroad. Interestingly, NO ONE seems to have an issue with PM Kamla Bissesar's (tax-payers paid) trip to India in search of her "roots". At least, she knows her "relatives" in India; how many Africans in Trinidad & Tobago can claim the same. Most of us, don't even know what part of Africa we came from. Most of us still believe Jesus Christ was Michael Angelo's blond-hair, blue-eyed Italian model. Most of us don't know that Africa gave the World its first "Christ" (Heru/Horus). The Prime Minister, most-likely, does not know that the Ganges River, was so-named after an Ethiopian emperor. Does not "Krishna" mean "Lord Of The PERFECT Black"? But a "Black" man (or Woman) dare change their name, put on a dashiki, wear and afro or dreadlocks, or even think or speak of Africa, without criticism or ridicule, even by members of their own race. (Cro Cro's "Lick Bottom Africans".) That is how assimilation works; now EVERY "black" man have a "little Indian in dem". TRINIDAD & TOBAGO will NEVER see its way, until the address issues relating to those that impact her sons and daughters of African descent. Yes, some of those issues are tangible, however, many reside in the psychology of being oppressed, suppressed, repressed, DEPRESSED! It is NOT coincidental that there were attempts in this forum, to silence my voice; because I was speaking truths and ruffling quite a few (foul)feathers. I say: SPEAK YOUR MIND! LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! TELL THE TRUTH!
In Ma'at (Truth)
George D. Goddard
Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks.
Honoring The Legacy Of George "Sonny" Goddard
Cultural evolution. Not always pleasant but a fact of global life. Quantum leap in digital and micro-chip technology in the last decade, the internet. No culture is safe from contamination. Add to that the impressionable and mimicy nature of TTians. Case closed.
I have agree to this social comment. The steel band do not play any dance music any more. They seems to play only panorama/ jump-up music. The Bam-cee, wuke up only good for Carnival day but I will like to hear more songs of social comment
What we see happening in countries that have resources is that the governing powers have all the opportunities and abuse their privileges ie. Boboll and Greed. Young people don't see a bright future and are living for today partying and enjoying life as if there is no tomorrow and it reflects in their music. The current Tn'T declared a SOE and here is a youthful response in the Soca style with humour as only ah Trini will appreciate, Chit talking and delivering the message, is ah SOE necessary? The voice of de people in song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMg91lR1nLA&feature=endscreen&am...
everything in current soca, with few exceptions, is surface, physical, with no emotional depth, no reflection. "look how ah winin" is the cry. the impact of current events eludes, almost too much to take on, too hard to bear. the same is true in today's politics, and other aspects of trinidad life. photo ops, quick flashes, no real responses to the things that impact daily life, so the opportunity for real solutions, real healing, true-true greatness is missed, and the madness continues while we distract ourselves with de puncheon,de bumper, and de bamsee.
I think technology has a lot to do with why no one sing about social comentary, they are growing up with Desk top, Lap top and Blackberry, they are more informed than we were so all they are interested in is having a good time. I wish cuddah drink ah puncheon and have someone "push it back on meh" or wine-up on ah bumper or bamsee. Together with Oil and Gas we have to add "WINE" and "JAM" to the list of our Natural Resources. To all WST people blessings for 2012.
We live in an era when young people show no interest in news or what is happening around them. I can speak about the Afro- Trinidadian, they are the ones who sing soca, so they sing what they are interested in, and what they think they know about. They do not even try to rhyme in their sounds. Everything is instant, life, death, food etc.
in twenty years down the road they would call those tunes BACK IN TIMES
Back in times music these days is music from last year. lol.
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