Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to the mid-19th century and spread to the rest of the Caribbean Antilles and Venezuela by the mid-20th century. It developed out of West African tribal songs that came to the isalnds of Trinidad and Tobago when French settlers brought African slaves to Trinidad. The subject of a calypso text, usually witty and satiric, is a local and topical event of political and social import, and the tone is one of allusion, mockery, and double entendre. The calypso tradition, popularized abroad in the late 1950s, dates to the early 19th century and was originally called caïso or cariso.

Calypso Rose is a Trinidadian calypsonian. Considered the "mother of calypso", Rose was the first female calypso star and her lyrics frequently address social issues like racism and sexism. Back in 1978, Calypso Rose, as she is widely known, shattered the glass ceiling in Trinidad & Tobago when paradoxically becoming the first of her gender to win the coveted ‘Calypso King’ crown.

Singing Sandra (1957 – 28 January 2021), a calypso legend, she was fondly known as Mother by those who knew her and stood as a force off and on the stage. In 1999, Singing Sandra became the second woman to ever win the Calypso Monarch competition after Calypso Rose's win in 1978. She’s unexpected passing has sent shockwaves through the calypso and soca fraternity.

Singing Francine has been singing calypsos since she was a child. She says, in reply to a question about how she became involved in the calypso art form, she asserted, “I never became involved in the calypso art form. I was born in the calypso art form.” As such, Francine is one of the classic calypsonians who fulfills the art form’s original mandate by producing calypso on every possible theme including social, political, economic, and cultural issues.Together with Calypso Rose, Francine has been carrying the women’s banner in calypso for many decades. That is why for her wonderful musical work over many decades, Singing Francine was named Calypso Queen of the World five times.

Singing Francine-Cool It Down

Singing Francine-Go Brave

Singing Francine-Ay Ay Maria

Singing Sandra-Die With Dignity

THE CREATIVE PROJECT
HISTÒRIA I CULTURES POSTCOLONIALS 
G1 Haoyu Liu
Dra. Isabel Alonso

Afro-Caribbean Music by female artist

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