Caribbean music researcher Dr. Andrew Martin is calling for meaningful investment in young people and greater recognition of calypso as a cultural artform, warning that financial rewards alone will not secure the genre's future. According to Antigua Observer, Martin shared his views during an appearance on Newsco's Observer AM.
While acknowledging that younger audiences are gravitating toward soca and dancehall, Martin argued that calypso's tradition of political and social commentary remains very much alive — though evolving.
"I think it's migrating. I don't think the political spirit ever dies; it's just going to change its form. And if you want to prove to young folks going forward that calypso is important — just saying that it's important is not enough, so investing in calypso is not just a money thing," Dr. Martin said.
Martin noted that calypsonians have historically occupied a position of considerable social standing in Caribbean society, serving as cultural critics whose voices cut across class lines. He argued that any serious investment in the artform must go beyond prize money and focus on developing emerging talent.
"Caribbean cultures aren't going to say that this is an important person. This person is a cultural critic and regardless of their class they form an important role in our society. So, if we're going to invest in the future and show them that calypsonians are important, then it's going to be developing out what they have, what the opportunity is for youth," he said.
Martin was pointed in his assessment of the financial gap between calypso and soca, cautioning that without sustained, year-round support from festival bodies, calypso cannot realistically compete with soca's monetary incentives.
"Monetary, you're just never going to — unless the Carnival Commission is going to put considerable money into the year-round development of calypsonians — you're never going to sort of equal out the similar payout that soca is going to have. So, then it's going to be up to everybody to show them the localised importance in culture," Dr. Martin concluded.
