Performing (Singing) Things to consider

The art of singing is an art that most people take for granted; this is so because singing is something each person can do. The dividing line however is how well a person can actually sing. Competitive and or professional singing however, is an art that requires more that a just a steady, melodious or a beautiful singing voice. It requires a singer to be more than a singer. It requires the transformation of the singer into a performer. 

You may ask what the difference is. A singer gives an oral and melodious presentation of written words or a song; while a performer adds dramatic and emotional value to the presentation. In that the words of a song takes on new meaning, they are personalized to the point where the audience believes the words as expanded is the experience of the singer, or the audience can picture said singer in a particular situation expounding those words. In so doing they apply the emotion to the song that help them to properly convey the message that brings the song to live. 

The process where a singer takes a song, and cause that message, which is being conveyed in the song; to be presented as if it is the singers personal experience. Even to the point where the audience not only buys into the song but also takes a journey, being transported mentally, to a place, some space in time, an experience, some event all at complement of the vocalist: This is a vocal performance, not to be mistaken for a vocal demonstration. 

Apart from the oral aspect of the presentation, there is the difficult art that a performer must play close attention to; that is the art of connecting with the audience. A singer with a good voice can get an audience attention, because everyone loves to hear good singing, however, it is a performer that has the ability to connect with the audience. The performer creates an experience for each member of the audience that makes each person feel special. At the end of the performance, each person in the audience is left feeling like, for a brief moment during the presentation, the performer (s) were actually speaking to them. 

This is always evident in the crowd reaction at the end of the set: be it a song, a scene in a play, a speech or some other performance. One of the sign that a performer or group of performers connected with its audience is resulted by a standing ovation. This is where the performers communicated with the audience even for a brief moment, and they became a part of the presentation, that they are overridden with emotions, that they want to express themselves in some mark way. That base on the circumstances and the environment, they are limited as to what they can do. Thus, the audience is propelled by their emotions state, which in turn forces them to their feet; in an eruption of applause, shouts, whistles etc. All in appreciation of the wonderful treat, they were all privilege to participate in. 

All performance are not meant to connect with the audience in the same manner, some performance are meant to amazed, some are meant to intrigue, others are meant to give you a sense of fear, while some are meant to thrill you. The objective of the performance is based on what is being communicated. Let us take a trapeze performance as an example, such performance is not meant to develop a connection with the artist; however, such is designed to put audience in fear: of what appear to be an impending accident, while thrilling you. 

It is important to note, it is not the goal of all performers to connect with their audience in the same manner. The connections factor is based on the type of performance that is being presented. 

Let us take for example a trapeze performance that is designed to achieve flowing objective:

1. To generate fear,

2. Give the audience a thrill

3. To create suspense,

In this case, the performers do not need to connect with the audience, in the way singers actors, debaters, etc. are required to, but they achieve their goal any way; when the performer create the necessary emotion in the audience with the performance; they have connected not in the same manner a singer did; but they achieved their primary goal.

Important aspects of Song writing

If you have an honest conversation with many song writers what make a good song just a few will be able to tell you what make a good song. Yet they are often engaged in the art of song writing. 

This is so because they the song writers came and they met a formula, of lyrics consciously put together, with a lyrical rhythm, to form the basic structure on which all good songs are based. 

Therefore, all that is required: is the ability to follow the set pattern, the blue print that was already created, add personal flavor, some difference to make sure that you song is somewhat different from another 's song and "walla" you are a song writer. 

But there are more to being a song writer than one's ability to follow a predetermined pattern. A good song writer, one have to understand not only the basic structure of song, but the why, word psychology, mechanics of retention. 

These are important for It is the primary objective of a song writer, more than anything else to have the audience 

1. To connect to the song. 

2. Remember his song 

3. To sing that song 

4. To want to listen to their song. 

Once a song writer could accomplish this then he or she has accomplished the primary gold and objective of song writing. 

However, this becomes easier when the following concept is grasped. 

1. Basic song structure. 

2. The reason for basic song structure. 

3. Words psychology 

4. Retention mechanics. 

These are the four widely unknown but highly important facets of song writing. It is from this prospective and the prospective that can be found on the introduction to see the basic structural criteria of a song.

What most song writers do not understand when they divert from the current formula of song writing and song structure, were the use of similar sounding words to connect lines, and end a thought or a part of a thought they are actually sacrificing the smoothness of the transition and they are creating a piece that will not be easy to commit to memory and therefore the song that they had invested a wealth of time writing will soon be forgotten.

The current structure of a song is has not been tampered with for ages, because it lend it self to aid in people remembering the song. Do you remember that nursery rhymes from your childhood word for word even if you have not said that nursery rhyme 10 or 20 years. However if you think of it you will noticed that you can recite the thing verbatim error free. 

That is because the Nursery Rhymes that we learn as toddlers followed this principles of similar sounding words connections of line and thoughts as well as the structure. There is no need to invent the wheel, because all of the work has already been done all a song writer is expected to do is understand the process and follow the blue print putting their own unique twist on the melody etc.   

A review of Hail Garifuna BY Zamfir "Man Zangie Adams

In reviewing Hail Garifuna by Zanfir Man Zangie Adams; I refused to give the same introduction to this song, that I give to the others, however you should access the previous reviews I did when I reviewed Abijah’s 2018 Calypos: Vision and Shaunelle Mc. Kenzie’s song: Life isn’t fair, to beautiful compositions. 

To begin this review I will say that this production is a very sophisticated and scientifically advance recording. You may have noticed I did not say song or composition; the preceding statement was intentional. This is so because I am not speaking about the art of carefully choosing and putting words together, to skillfully tell a story, creating a melody of words; that is easy to which we sing along. However, I am speaking about the recording. I will explain at the end.

There is no denying the fact, that Zamfir Adams whose calypso name is “Man Zangie” is one of the best young male calypso voices in recent time. That is something no one can take away from this young man. Zangie is able to perform many vocal tricks that enhances his presentation. There is something about a person with a beautiful voice like Shaunelle McKenzie's voice, who has that abilities that allows her to take any poorly written song and serenade and audience into believing that that song is a work of art. It is all in the voice and the skillful use of that voice; and Man Zangie has that ability and used it in this song. 

In the same manner many USA gospel singers have used an original chorus and is able to repeat that chorus six or seven times using different vocal pitch and singing style that left the audience convinced that this chorus is an entire song. That is the gift and the privilege of a good singer when compare to another person that has a good voice.

I have listen to this song to the point of where I could say that I studied Zamfir's Song: Hail Garifuna. I will say for the most part the song followed the basic verse structure that is expected from a song. However, this song is a rush job; this song dealt with a topic that is worthy of being address, the song has a fairly good chorus line, however there are some basic deficiencies that is nicely disguised under the mass confusion, which was designed to hide the song deficiencies. 

i. The first is the sweet accompanying musical arrangement. 

ii. The beautiful voice of the singer. 

iii. The tons vocal backflips that Zangie did throughout the song. 

iv. The over pronunciation of key words, in key area of the song.

v. The Miss-pronunciation of words to connect the lines.

vi. The use of auto tune technology

vii. The rolling of his “R” to distract listeners.

viii. And the last point I will deal with at the end.

My first problem is there is too much going on in the song; there are two bridge in the song, a bridge rightly place can enhance a song and break up the monotony of the song. However, a bridge is thrown into this song to connect two vocally unrelated rhythmic parts of the song. 

My second problem with the song is; the song does not have proper line transition. Line transition is best use with similarity in word sound or word that rhymes; and words that fits together smoothly. To cover this up you can hear Zangie over pronouncing and distorting the pronunciation of key word in order to find some common ground between rhyming and finding a smooth fit in accomplishing line transition. 

As a matter of fact, except for the opening of the song where he had two rhymes to connect the lines, one of which he over shot, and the second one he nail, but apart from the transition into the chorus, there is no smooth line connection be it appropriate wording or rhymes. This is repeated thought out the song. Unfortunately, the first verse was the best where song construction is concerned. This song is a collection of information that was sang using his beautiful voice and vocal backflips to cover the deficiencies in the song and line structure. 

This is a poorly written song with a very good chorus, and one or two highlights. I did my retention test on this song. I listen to the song repeatedly without any particular effort to learn the song; because I wanted to see how much of the song I will remember, Unlike in Abijah’s, Shaunelle’s and Shena Collis’ song, where I was able to remember most of their songs. I was only able to remember the transition into the chorus and the Chorus of the song: Hail Garifuna. 

The second test I often use to determine the structural quality of a song is; can a vocalist like Abijah sing that song and get away with it. I say NO he cannot; and that is because of the poor construct of the essay that is being recited and passed off as a "song". 

This song is a recitation of historical facts; stripped bear of the mechanics that would make a collection of word a song. It qualifies to be an essay with a chorus. In my opinion this was a rush job, it had a lot of potential, but it needed time to be developed into a song. 

I have a sneaking suspicion; this song; was handpicked by certain key people, within the Vincentian political community, to win the calypso Monarchy for 2018, and it would have done so without difficulty. Hence, the reason there was so much effort put into the production of the song, and not necessary the writing of the song. 

There is much evidence, that this song is laced with underlying of demonic codes that was place there either during the recording or mastering process of the song, in the same manner they do in the international music industry, to get people to go out and purchase the record. However, the demonic codes are placed in particular songs are place there to accomplished specific objectives.

In this case the objectives of the codes in this song were not design to sell records; but to be used to distract the listener from the deficiencies in the structure of the song while generating a liking for the song. hence the reason, I was unable to complete this review and I moved on to review Abijah's and Shaunelle's songs.

It will be interesting to learn who was responsible for recording and mastering this song. What will be more interesting is if the artist is aware of what was done to his song. 

Why do I get the impression that the political powers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are doing all in their efforts to discourage the singing of political and social commentaries and to ensure that no one who feature them, their political associates and their party negatively in a song ever wins the Calypso competition. 

A review of Abijah's song: Vision

No one can applaud Elvis Abijah Abby for being the best of singers; notwithstanding, Abijah has good tone and good singing pitch, but lacks the ability to hold them consistently during his song. These are some of the basic easy to learn singing mechanics, which will make Abby a very good singer. What is interesting is that all of Abijah’s singing deficiencies can be corrected with proper instruction and practice.

But what Abijah lacks in singing skills he more then make up for in song writing abilities and charisma. Before I take the time to address Abijah’s song Vision, I will give you a little idea of what make a good song and in particular a good calypso.

One must remember that Calypso singing is not an instrumental rendition. However, it is a properly orated composition presented as a vocal discourse in a particular style; that is common within the West Indies (Caribbean) Using, a defined set of rhythm, tempo and melody. It is also important to note that the rhythm, tempo and melody have nothing to do with the accompaniment that is only there to enhance the quality of the presentation.; but should be embedded within the lyrics and the way the lyrics are structured and presented.

Rhythm is a strong, regular, pattern of the song that is repeated or the flow of the song. Tempo is simple the speed of the song, and melody the pattern and the manner in which words are presented: pronounced, stress and or orated in a particular part of the song. It is therefore important that words consistently meets the same favor in each verse. In other words the verses must be alike or very similar in the structure of the song: the uniformity of the verses. This gives the song a unique quality, that should be synonymous with every good song, simplicity.

It matters not the complexity of the subject one is addressing, or the complexity of the accompanying arrangement, a sound should be simple and uniform in its structure. This complex skill is and can be simplified when a person has a large vocabulary, which is obtained by being widely read. Simplicity in structure provides some real benefits. It takes less time to learn by the performers, it lessen the chances of the performer making a error while preforming the song and makes it easy for the audience to remember the song; which is or should be the goal of every song writer, to write a song that everyone can remember and sing or sing along to or with.

Another thing a song writer must look for in a song apart from uniformity of the verses is the connectivity of the verses to the chorus and the simplicity of the chorus. The song must have easy transition from the verses to the Chorus and in like manner from the chorus to the verses. Another thing I must touch on before I move on is the selection of the subject or the vehicle in which the topics are presented to the public. Although a subject is not necessary it can improve a song tremendously. Some popular subjects are, dreams, conversations, arguments and eavesdropping. A subject may pose a barrier to some writer.

A calypso do not need to have subject to be a good song. Many classics are songs without a subject, but a subject may be what is needed to properly convey a message and transform a good song into a better song. On the issue of topics, a writer may have dificulity writing on a particular topic, and that maybe because of a problem with the persons knowledge on the topic. Knowing of a topic and some elements of the topic do not mean you are knowledgeable about the topic or understands or comprehend the topic. The lack of knowledge. is the biggest cause in fragments, jumbled, and poorly constructed song.

Let us qualify this by taking a look at the rap industry. The most used topic in rap music are: drugs, money, sex and crime basically fighting and shooting. Do you know why that is? That is so because the knowledge base of the writers are very limited and the thing that they truly know anything about is the life style they live, which is bases of their composition. In other words their working knowledge or their general understanding and their comprehension about other things is very limited. In other words song writing is not as easy as most none writers will like to believe it is and as most prolific song writers make it out to be.

There is also the storytelling aspect of song writing. The most memorable songs tell a story rather than push popular slogan. While a slogan may have a particular meaning to one generation, a group, or a locality that may lose its popularity, meaning and usage with the passage of time, a story has the ability to stand the test of time. So story telling is always the best approach to song writing.

The Song:

Abijah has always been a prolific songwriter and over the years he has been a stalwart contributor to the art form in the area of Calypso, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in the Caribbean. With that said I hereby declare that Abijah can hold his own with any calypso composer in the Caribbean.

In the sound that is called Vision, Abijah have followed all of the rules in song writing as it related to the rhythm, melody, and tempo. His song was simple and followed the rule of simplicity of structure and connective ease between verses and chorus.

Abijah demonstrated that he has an understanding of the art of calypso writing, and he had done a wonderful job in selecting the subject for this song: the practice of Shaker Baptist the penitan or the Converted religion. Abijah also demonstrated that he has a sound knowledge and an understanding of the Shaker Baptist the penitan or the Converted religion and even their old and none existent practice.

The subject on which Abijah choose to build his work of art with, allowed him to deal with any social, political, or other talking point in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean or any part of the world he saw fit and therefore finds a home in this song. Abijah’s choice of Subject and the way he dealt with the subject won him top points for topic selection.

Abby was able to fit a variety of topic into the subject of his song and he was able to do this because he has a good knowledge and a very good understanding of the subject he choose to work with, as well as the topics or the social and other issues he choose to address in the confines of the subject of his song. It was a combination of all of these things along with his writing (composition) ability that afforded him this luxury.

Abijah began this story telling by introducing us to two people: His grandmother Dorothy Abby and a leader of the Shaker Baptist religion Pinter Mercury who are not fictitious but real people, within the Vincentian community. In the introduction Abijah’s grandmother who was concerned for his wellbeing took him to her church to meet her church leader, who recommends a spiritual purging via a system call moaning. It was at this point that AbiJah skillfully introduce an essential and no longer practice aspect of the Shaker Baptist religion, the public beatings that the Pointer often administer upon members (grown men and women) of his church. a public and physical beating (flogging), to those who were discovered in adultery, or who were found to have participated in any other serious sin or any abominable infringement against the bible's teachings. Such beatings were administered with a broad leather belt that is often worn by the Head of the church who is called the Pointer.

Topics. Abijah skillfully address a wide range of current political issues, in his song, without achieving political over kill, or making the sound appear jumble to listeners. His skillful play on words and the everyday sarcastic similes he so skillfully used are too much to mention.

He address a lot of the political concerns of the parliamentary opposition as personal conviction, from the allegation of stolen general election to the recent No Confidence Motion. I partially like the way Abijah introduced and dealt with the issue of the No Confidence Motions. Abijah compared the speaker of the House of Parliament to a magician whose action made the motion of no confidence disappeared baffling everyone including himself as to his magical (incompetence) skill.

Abijah also address what is a real concern in St. Vincent and the Grenadines the governmental corruption and the lack of morality which the ULP government was doing efficient at. That was put on public display with the Yugge Farrell saga. Abijah climax that aspect of his song by smoothly incorporating the words he ge, she ge the dialect for he and she give and then he even see Yu ge.

Abijah would not have been a true calypso-man if he did not address concerns within the calypso art form, if he did not address his and the concerns of the other members calypso paternity and he did. He particular leveled a heap of criticism to Fya Empress on several front, from her composition that addressed a private personal affair within her marriage life, that was made public when The Empress made the affair public by addressing it in a song which saw her making the calypso finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 and earned her the monarch title with in St. Vincent and the Grenadines later that year.

The essence of the Empress’ song, was based on the Empress’ justly or unjustly publicly shamed her husband by accusing him of being caught in homosexuality. In Abijah’s song he bring his side to that saga which he relate as the truth his truth that was received as a rumor, that flip the switch on Fya Empress and declare that the truth was she was found in a compromising position that she accuse her husband of.

All in all, it is my opinion that Elvis Abijah Abby has set the standard for Calypso in the 2018 Carnival Calypso competition, in my opinion Abijah is the man to beat at lease in the first round. I suggest that each calypso lover, no matter where they are from, to take some time and listen to Abijahs Vision and you will see an example of a master piece.

1566.

Things to pay attention to when composing a good Calypso

Writing a song is not an easy task, even though some people make it look very easy. Very often, we hear how simple a good song is, we often get the impression that we could have written that song or a song just like that one. However there is a reason why most people have never written a song during their entire life time. That is because song writing is a difficult task, and to write a song that will be loved is not guarantee to anyone.

One must remember that Calypso writing and singing is not an instrumental rendition. However, it is a properly orated composition presented as a vocal discourse in a particular style; that is common within the West Indies (Caribbean) Using, a defined set of rhythm, tempo and melody. It is also important to note that the rhythm, tempo and melody have nothing to do with the accompaniment that is only there to enhance the quality of the presentation.; but should be embedded within the lyrics and the way the lyrics are structured and presented.

Rhythm is a strong, regular, pattern of the song that is repeated or the flow of the song. Tempo is simple the speed of the song, and melody the pattern and the manner in which words are presented: pronounced, stress and or orated in a particular part of the song. It is therefore important that words consistently meets the same favor in each verse. In other words the verses must be alike or very similar in the structure of the song: the uniformity of the verses. This gives the song a unique quality, that should be synonymous with every good song, simplicity.

It matters not the complexity of the subject one is addressing, or the complexity of the accompanying arrangement, a sound should be simple and uniform in its structure. This complex skill is and can be simplified when a person has a large vocabulary, which is obtained by being widely read. Simplicity in structure provides some real benefits. It takes less time to learn by the performers, it lessen the chances of the performer making a error while preforming the song and makes it easy for the audience to remember the song; which is or should be the goal of every song writer, to write a song that everyone can remember and sing or sing along to or with.

Another thing a song writer must look for in a song apart from uniformity of the verses is the connectivity of the verses to the chorus and the simplicity of the chorus. The song must have easy transition from the verses to the Chorus and in like manner from the chorus to the verses. Another thing I must touch on before I move on is the selection of the subject or the vehicle in which the topics are presented to the public. Although a subject is not necessary it can improve a song tremendously. Some popular subjects are, dreams, conversations, arguments and eavesdropping. A subject may pose a barrier to some writer.

A calypso do not need to have subject to be a good song. Many classics are songs without a subject, but a subject may be what is needed to properly convey a message and transform a good song into a better song. On the issue of topics, a writer may have dificulity writing on a particular topic, and that maybe because of a problem with the persons knowledge on the topic. Knowing of a topic and some elements of the topic do not mean you are knowledgeable about the topic or understands or comprehend the topic. The lack of knowledge. is the biggest cause in fragments, jumbled, and poorly constructed song.

Let us qualify this by taking a look at the rap industry. The most used topic in rap music are: drugs, money, sex and crime basically fighting and shooting. Do you know why that is? That is so because the knowledge base of the writers are very limited and the thing that they truly know anything about is the life style they live, which is bases of their composition. In other words their working knowledge or their general understanding and their comprehension about other things is very limited. In other words song writing is not as easy as most none writers will like to believe it is and as most prolific song writers make it out to be.

There is also the storytelling aspect of song writing. The most memorable songs tell a story rather than push popular slogan. While a slogan may have a particular meaning to one generation, a group, or a locality that may lose its popularity, meaning and usage with the passage of time, a story has the ability to stand the test of time. So story telling is always the best approach to song writing.

The degeneration of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Carnival - an analysis view.

I could remember in the early 1970s as a child, going to watch the carnival parade, along Back Street; there are several mark differences I could identity when compared to today carnival. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I understand the catalyst that triggered the phenomenon, which I am going to share in this article.

The first thing was Carnival was good, clean fun, a big celebration. It was a celebration that was specific. Carnival was the festival where participants celebrated arts, creativity, talent, culture; personal accomplishments, and group achievement. It was having fun with friends and family and an opportunity to make new friends as well as, an opportunity to meet up with friend and family you did not see in quite a while. 

The street parade was call jig up and that was actually what happened, the people who participated actually jigged up. At the parade, you find a couple or a group of people, side to side, with one hand around the other and they make a steady advance forward, in order to get verity they went backward, turn around go forward in the opposite direction, the primary objective was to make as many laps around the town as possible and everyone enjoyed themselves and each other’s company doing it. People can be seen whispering into each other’s ears, as they share a private joke, you may see them as they laugh loudly at what was said or the searching eyes trying to get a view of what was brought to their attention. The general facial expressions were sign of happy, smiling people having clean fun.

Third Old mass was a very creative aspect of the carnival, were the mass men and others who made crude floats, and costumes, to parade along the streets, to the delight of the spectators. Each float and or costume told a story, carry a massage or hold some historical or social significant. 

And then there were the organized teams of dancers. There were Boozie Back, Monkey Band, the Wining Donkey Man, Babbior Dancing (People on Stilts) Maypole etc. and their respective music bands, which mainly consisted of drummers and flutes players. These were all village oriented and organized folk dance troops. These were dancers that told a story with their music and their dancing. I particularly liked the Monkey band, these dancers had special objectives, that was to scare children while they entertained the grown folks with their dance skill. 

The dancers in the Monkey Band tried to imitate the movement of a monkey and therefore their dance consisted of quick sudden move, jumps, flips, and lots of wining (sexual gyration of the hips). I have seen monkey band with up to six performers including children. All of these art form took lots of practice, and the performers were very entertaining. The performers were seen going through the villages, preforming especially inform of a business places who will patronized them with, a little money, and refreshments. 

The fourth aspect I will like to address is the music. At this point in our carnival history, we had good clean local music which we all enjoy. Although a lot of the big tunes from the Trinidad and Tobago carnival were played. Our music address topical issues and they told a story everyone could have associated with; topics were based on social events most of which may have made the news or may have appeared in one of the two newspaper the country had: The Vincentian News Paper, which is a privately own printed medium, which still exist today and the Star News Paper (the political medium of the St. Vincent Labor Party). The songs also had structure, melody, balance, and strong lyrics content everyone felt good singing along with. no one blushed or wondered if the children were hearing them sing the song because these song did not have a vulgar content. 

And the last aspect of our carnival was the dress code of our females. Carnival was a special occasion and most people who could afford it will try to purchase at lease a new top for Carnival day. The ladies were modestly dressed, in a dress, or a long jeans or a three quarters pants that ended just below their knees. This was a demonstration of the value system, and the level morals that was common within the society back then. 

In the late 70s early 80ss something happened that negatively change the face of carnival, the general behavior of revelers, and the overall product of the festival that later became Vincy Mass. If you asked carnival lovers what happened that changed the general appearance of carnival they will not be able to tell you; however, I can. 

The change in the primary components of our primary cultural extravaganza was the maturing of a hidden, secret and unspoken occurrence that was a taboo to address publicly. There was a large scale rape of our children, which began to be put on public display, at carnival time; after those child victims grew up. 

Our women in their crying for help, began to dress provocatively and act seductively. Their outfits got more sexual and sensual, it was a scream for help that was misinterpreted as an invitation to do business: sex. And our men began to capitalize on their misfortune of the unspoken language and carnival became an opportunity for easy sexual exploits on both side, the homosexual aspect were closely guarded and never seen and or spoken of publicly; but it was there. 

We noticed a big change in the Old Mass aspect of Carnival also. The traditional Old Mass floats, Costume making, and primitive bands like the Monkey Band etc. were replaced by awkwardly dressed men, who though wearing female apparel was cool. They dressed in, dresses, skirt, panty and bra etc. The panty wearing males who were often to junk to make any meaningful cultural contributions; did not understand what was happening to them, as they were slaves to their subconscious, a coping mechanism activated by the subconscious. This was also a male cry for help that was also misinterpreted. These young men were putting on public display a life they lived in most cases, a life they lived unwillingly, a life they were forcefully made to live behind closed doors.

This deplorable phenomenon transformed the festival into one big misinterpreted cry for help. Then we stop jigging and we began to asexually wine on the buttocks of our female counterparts this have evolved into what can be considered humanly degrading behaviors, where the carnival dance can be literally termed as having sex while dressed and in full view of the public. The female victims of unreported rape placed little value on themselves and their bodies, so they did not mind the vulgar acts, being performed on them. While in the case of out men, the public somewhat macho sex acts that were demonstrated on the streets at Carnival; in most cases was a desperate efforts to hold onto their manhood which were being stripped away behind closed doors. While others, made a desperate attempt to sow the seeds, which they hoped will be resulted in a happy ending at end of night: carnival sex with someone you were not in a relationship with.

This also led to a change in the music especially the lyrics. The songs that emerged from the change in attitudes, behavior and the product reflected the new behavior. One song that quickly came to mine is a song by Winston Soso; “Come let we go in the back and fool around,” that told the story of recent past experience and current expectations. Up until this point calypsos were being written by writers and sang by singers.

Then the pain in the community began to spilled over into every aspect of our life especially our cultural life. The victims look for new ways to heal the mental trauma; they look for popularity to heal the trauma. Without the necessary skills the plunge head first into the Calypso Soca art form. Without the needed writing skills, without understanding the art of poetry and the form of poetry that one sings and tells a story and the ability to hold a note; they took the art to a new un-creative level of vulgarity, no class and no storytelling, no structure, songs with three, four, five and six words punchlines that is the song; an assault on the ears, the intelligence and on the creative senses. 

With this came the violence, now there were more fights and as the years advanced there were serious injuries and even murders; making the carnival a place to stay away from. Today carnival is no longer a celebration of the arts, creativity, culture, personal accomplishments, and group achievement. It is a celebration of sex and violence. One thing that have not change is, the deplorable behaviors is still a victim's cry for help, a cry for help that falls on deft, and unwilling ears.