Dear Sir:
Based on what I read on BBC Caribbean News, Nov 17, 2008, Popular Barbadian and Caribbean calypsoian John King thinks there is an international conspiracy against that popular Eastern Caribbean music genre. However, I personally believe that soca/calypso will break into the international music market, when the Eastern Caribbean countries unite as one strong force as a trading bloc.
In order for soca/calypso to constantly make the billboard chart, Eastern Caribbean countries must promote the music as an industry. Trinidad & Tobago alone cannot be the only Caribbean country promoting that genre of music on the international scene. As a matter of fact, apart from Bahia Man's version of the popular soca song “Who Let the Dogs Out” written by Anselm Douglas of Trinidad & Tobago, all the other big soca songs that hit the billboard chart, are from soca artistes from the Eastern Caribbean countries such as Montserrat, Barbados and St Vincent & the Grenadines.
The Mighty Arrow of Montserrat still has the biggest soca song that ever went global. His song "Feeling Hot Hot Hot" sells millions of copies globally, and it is been sung in various languages. Other artistes such as Rupee of Barbados, and Kevin Lyttle and Jamsey P of St Vincent & the Grenadines were able to spread soca music on the international market. As a matter of fact Kevin Lyttle's hit song “Turn Me On” is second to Arrow’s “Feeling Hot Hot Hot.” in terms of popularity.
Soca/calypso music is the roots of all the music from the Eastern Caribbean. Even the Jamaican reggae/dancehall music has its roots in calypso. However, the Jamaican music is a hybrid mixture of African America Motown music culture, Jamaican and mento/calypso. And due to the fact that Jamaica is geographically closer to the United States, the African American culture becomes a strong influence in the Jamaican society, than in the Eastern Caribbean.
John King has a valid right to be concerned about the future of soca/calypso music, as reggae/dance music is making some inroads on the international market. On the other hand, he has to look into the Europeans' involvement in the reggae music industry. Bob Marley couldn't make it that big on the international music scene, if his manager Chris Blackwell had not been a rich white European with great influence, there is no way he would have been able to break so much barriers and become that famous. But there is no Chris Blackwell around in the small soca/calypso industry to help promote the music globally.
In order for soca/calypso music to make a big impact globally, the artistes who sing this genre of music, must unite and build a music industry in the Eastern Caribbean. The DJs who play soca/calypso music must educate themselves about the culture of various Eastern Caribbean islands.
In conclusion, soca/calypso music is here to stay. Whether or not there is a conspiracy to destory the musical success on the international market. The music has a similar history as the America blues. Calypso and blues music gave our ancestors the spiritual willpower to surive the inhumane condition of slavery on the plantations of the Americas. Even though Caribbean people do not play a lot of blues music and the African Americans are not too interested in soca/calypso, these genres of music are the roots of all the other music that are very popular on the international scene.
It is just a matter of time, for calypso/soca to be accepted as the great music it is. Carbbean integration will be the best way to promote this genre of music globally. John King is rasing a very good issue. He needs the respect as one of the Caribbean best calypsoian and a man who cares a lot about his roots and culture.
Hudson George
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
