Calypso music in Barbados

The prior to the 1930’s, Barbadian calypso was known as Banja, and was performed by labourers in village tenant places. The travelling minstrel like Mighty Jerry, Shilling Agard and Slammer were well known forerunners of modern Barbadian calypso. The song of the tradition is embraced sentimentality with humour and opinionated lyrics that dates back to the 1960’s and often accompanied with guitar or banjo.

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The mid 20^th century brought new forms of music to Barbados from Trinidad, Brazil, the United States, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and the Barbadian calypso style cam to be viewed as lowbrow or inferior. The promoters like Lord Silvers and Mighty Dragon, however, kept the popular tradition alive through the shows at the Globe Theatre which features the pioneers Mighty Romeo, sir Don Marshall, Lord Radio and the Bimshire Boys and Mike Wilkinson.

In the early 1960’s Bajan calypso grew in popularity and stature, which was led by the Viper, mighty gabby and the Merrymen. The fist calypso competitions were held in 1960, and they quickly grew larger and more prominent. The Merrymen became the island’s most prominent contribution to calypso by the 1970’s and into the 80’s. The styles are known as blue beat, incorporated Barbadian folk songs and ballads as well as American blues, country music, and a distinctive sound made by harmonica, guitar and banjo.

By the beginning of the 1980’s Kaiso, a form of stage presented calypso became widespread at crop over and other festivities. The foundation of the National Cultural Foundation in 1984 helped to promote and administer calypso festivals, which attracted tourists, stimulating the calypso company. As a result, calypso has become a very visible and iconic part of Barbadian culture, and some calypsonians have become internationally known like Mighty Gabby and Red Plastic Bag.