Difference between soca and calypso

Feb 25, 2010
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Like Mother and daughter - Difference between Soca and Calypso
by: Calypsokid

In my humble understanding of the two genres, Calypso is generally defined as the root of more modern genre, like Soca/Soca chutney/Rapso, etc. Calypso itself grew out of root Afrikan rhythms and passed along by people known as Griots, who spread the news in song and chant. Calypso embraced the musical elements of the world, beginning with the Afrikan, it absorbed influence from the English,French,Spanish,Portugese,Syrian,Chinese,Indian and Aboriginal. The early chantuelles employed songs to convey messages to one another under the noses of their colonial masters and to poke fun at them for their own entertainment. Out of the bondage of slavery and indentured servantry,music was employed to carry tradition, to teach and remind the next generation of the tribulation they endured. As Calypso evolved, different instruments help define it's course, it was always rooted by drums and simpler percussion instruments which includes bamboo (tamboo bamboo),gourds,metalic objects such as dust bin covers,automotive brake drums, bisquit tins etc, hence the "engine room". The British military bands help establish more western instrumentation and the Yanks presence even further. Lyrics became one of the hallmarks of Calypso, which further drove the songs identities. The Artistes tailored their rant towards the government and inspired the people much like a newspaper, with an agenda. This is a much abridged overview of how I relate to Calypso. Soca, which has been contested, has been credited to the likes of Garfield Blackman (Lord Shorty)and a host of others, basically embraced Calypso and Soul music elements to form a modern beat (faster), akin to rock and roll for the younger generation. Artistes like Sparrow and Kitchener quickly adapted to the artform and incorporated the formula to their compositions. I see your post is from Diego Martin, which is the home of Rain-O-Rama. Why not call on Kernel Roberts for a personal tutorial? There's a rich and long history of what I feel is the greatest music since Beethoven.

Difference between soca and calypso

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Difference between soca and calypso