Barbados: Music

	Soca/Calypso music the predominate type of music in Barbados, therefore this section will consist of information about Soca/Calypso entertainers. indivudual band pages include: Square One Krosfyah Coalishun Red Plastic Bag WHAT IS CALYPSO? Calypso is a form of folk music which originated in Trinidad and spread rapidly throughout the West Indies. Calypso is known to have existed in Trinidad as early as the 18th century. However, Calypso really began to flourish in the early 1900s. The music originated amongst Trinidad's large population of former slaves. Its complex, syncopated rhythm clearly reflects traditional African rhythms. The lyrics of the earliest Calypsoes were sung in Patois (broken French), a remnant of the early French colonization of Trinidad. However, subsequently, when the British took over, the primary language of Calypso music became English. Since its earliest days, Calypso has been a music of social and political commentary. Its lyrics reflect the popular issues of the day--many of which are timeless human issues, such as love, greed, oppression and the like. In recent times--especially for those residing outside the West Indies--Calypso has been widely associated with the pre-lenten Carnival celebrations and tropical vacations. WHAT IS SOCA? Soca is party music which originally emerged as a fusion of Indian and African rhythms. The word was formed by the combination of the last two letters of the world Calypso with the first two letters and called it "Soca". However, because Soca has been heavily influenced by American soul music in recent years, there have been many misunderstandings about its name. Many people now mistakenly believe the word Soca originated from a fusion of Soul and Calypso. Soca has emerged as the modern "Calypso" and today very few artists record only traditional Calypso music. Almost all of the newer music incorporates at least some of the Soca rhythms and flavors. Irving Burgie wrote the words to our national anthem, but he was also a songwriter for the world reknowned Harry Belafonte. Gabby Calypsonian and folk singer, Anthony "Gabby" Carter has penned and sung some of the most popular songs in the region. Songs like "Dr. Cassandra", "Government Boots" and "Bridgetown Market" readily come to mind. Gabby now has a greatest hits CD available, entitled "Til Now". Grynner this Labour Day regular is a veteran in calypso music who has produced hit after hit of uptempo numbers. John King He won the local Calypso competition twice, won the Caribbean Song Festival performing a duet with Alison Hinds of Square John has sung with several leading Bajan bands (Spice, Sygnacha).He is also a successful song writer, having penned the lyrics to some of the most popular tunes in local music. He personifies showmanship and the audience always leaves satisfied. Last November he was honored for his contribution to the local music industry in a concert at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in Barbados. The Merrymen was formed in 1962 and has thrilled audiences throughout the world. They are Barbados' most famous band. Spice and Company some of its original members had relatives who played in The Merrymen. Spice's song "Congaline" was used in the Disney animated feature, "The Little Mermaid II". <a href="http://leader.linkexchange.com/7/X858206/clickle" target="_top"><img width=468 height=60 border=0 ismap alt="" src="http://leader.linkexchange.com/1/X858206/showle?"></a>

Soca/Calypso music the predominate type of music in Barbados, therefore this section will consist of information about Soca/Calypso entertainers.

indivudual band pages include: 
Square One   Krosfyah   Coalishun  Red Plastic Bag

WHAT IS CALYPSO?
Calypso is a form of folk music which originated in Trinidad and spread rapidly throughout the West Indies. Calypso is known to have existed in Trinidad as early as the 18th century. However, Calypso really began to flourish in the early 1900s. The music originated amongst Trinidad's large population of former slaves. Its complex, syncopated rhythm clearly reflects traditional African rhythms. The lyrics of the earliest Calypsoes were sung in Patois (broken French), a remnant of the early French colonization of Trinidad. However, subsequently, when the British took over, the primary language of Calypso music became English. Since its earliest days, Calypso has been a music of social and political commentary. Its lyrics reflect the popular issues of the day--many of which are timeless human issues, such as love, greed, oppression and the like. In recent times--especially for those residing outside the West Indies--Calypso has been widely associated with the pre-lenten Carnival celebrations and tropical vacations.

WHAT IS SOCA?
Soca is party music which originally emerged as a fusion of Indian and African rhythms. The word was formed by the combination of the last two letters of the world Calypso with the first two letters and called it "Soca". However, because Soca has been heavily influenced by American soul music in recent years, there have been many misunderstandings about its name. Many people now mistakenly believe the word Soca originated from a fusion of Soul and Calypso. Soca has emerged as the modern "Calypso" and today very few artists record only traditional Calypso music. Almost all of the newer music incorporates at least some of the Soca rhythms and flavors.

Irving Burgie wrote the words to our national anthem, but he was also a songwriter for the world reknowned Harry Belafonte.

Gabby Calypsonian and folk singer, Anthony "Gabby" Carter has penned and sung some of the most popular songs in the region. Songs like "Dr. Cassandra", "Government Boots" and "Bridgetown Market" readily come to mind. Gabby now has a greatest hits CD available, entitled "Til Now".

Grynner this Labour Day regular is a veteran in calypso music who has produced hit after hit of uptempo numbers.

John King He won the local Calypso competition twice, won the Caribbean Song Festival performing a duet with Alison Hinds of Square John has sung with several leading Bajan bands (Spice, Sygnacha).He is also a successful song writer, having penned the lyrics to some of the most popular tunes in local music. He personifies showmanship and the audience always leaves satisfied. Last November he was honored for his contribution to the local music industry in a concert at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in Barbados.

The Merrymen was formed in 1962 and has thrilled audiences throughout the world. They are Barbados' most famous band.

Spice and Company some of its original members had relatives who played in The Merrymen. Spice's song "Congaline" was used in the Disney animated feature, "The Little Mermaid II".