Stage Personas in Calypso Music
The art of performance is often distinctive of the culture from the tradition it comes from. In Trinidad and Tobago for example, many culturally specific traits accompany what is known as Calypso. Calypso music has come to be referred to as “the voice of the people,” as it allows the population to challenge the political actions of those who govern them. Over time, this understanding categorized the calypso genre as music that encourages resistance and rebellion. As a result, it allowed Calypso music to play an important role in political expressions. Calypsonian performance occurs in two very different locations: on the road and in the tent. When performed on the road, Calypso tends to be more festive, however in the tent, a distinct persona of rebellion and political commentary is common. Shannon Dudley explains, “Calypsonians singing in the tent cultivate a distinctive stage persona through their choice of a calypso name, the style of song they sing, and the way they dress”(38