Calypso Music of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Calypso is a pattern of music that is from Trinidad and Tobago, comprising of highly lyrical songs that often makes the topical comments on the ruling statues and the social issues of the day.

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Calypso music was initiated in West African, and was brought in the Caribbean during the slave trade period by the slaves who lived on the sugar region.

During the slavery, calypso was used for comment against the tyranny and cruel treatment suffered by the slaves at the hands of their masters. This type was known as Caise (Ka-ee-sow) which refers to as the town cry, while the singer/ composer was known as Caisonian. This song was then called calypso by the European slave masters, who called it after the mythical sea fairy known as calypso because of its melodic ability to attract its listeners.

The caisonians were then stressed by their masters to sing songs which they will use to entertain themselves in return for certain opportunities and an ease of tasks, and for fund during the post-liberation era.

Calypso was substantially commercialized in Trinidad, where it was sung primarily for entertainment in concerts known as calypso tents during the Trinidad carnival festivities.

From the Trinidad, calypso spread throughout the Caribbean, and it became a main part of Kittitian (or Kittian) music with the beginning of the previous calypso contest in the 1950s. Notable early calypsonians from this era includes Lord Mike, Lord Harmony, Mighty Kush, Elmo Osborne, King Monow and the Mighty Saint. In the 80s, calypso had begun to top in popularity on Saint Kitts and Nevis, while the two leading artists were the renewal Ellie Matt and Starshield.