To most people, the calypsonian Errol Rose AKA "The Man Age" is just another overseas base calypsonian with a talent for writing. This is so because most people do not know who age is and neither do they understand the history of Age and the impact his calypso singing have had especially, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and on Vincentians.
As a result they have no clue, who is the little man behind the might words and big songs. The Man Age is not just a calypsonian; he is much more than that. Errol Rose is a champion for social justice; a political activist and a catalyst for social and political change. I will go as far as to say that The Man Age is consistently; the longest, active, political activist in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and may be in the Caribbean. Age has been a champion for political justice and social change for more than forty six years and this cannot be disputed.
When he opens his mouth his messages takes on a life of its own. Although the Man Age, is not on the daily political radio talk shows, lamenting his dissatisfaction and displeasure of the way things are going, it do not make him any less a political activist. It makes him even more effective than those who day in and day out, need to be heard lamenting without creating solutions to the problems.
This is so because Age know where his strengths are and he use his strength to the best of his ability in order to achieve a desired outcome. Age is busy creating speeches in a simplicity that everyone can understand. Speeches that are always on message, speeches when presented takes on a life of its own; with a lifespans unlike any other.
But who really is the man behind the lyrics and the very distinct voice and what make him different from other calypsoians? In the 1970s Age was responsible and single handedly exposed The Rt. Honorable Milton Cato and his Labor Party Government. He did this through his songs: Calypsos. Back then, Age sang songs about the political neglect of the poor, and the lack of representation of the weak and the general oppression of the people. Age became the voice of the voiceless, the champion of and for the poor and he did it with a microphone singing Calypsos.
On retrospect, I often wondered, how it was possible for every Vincent to learn the Man Age songs, when his songs were banned by the government; and was not being played on the only radio station in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at that time: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), 705 Radio, which was a government owned and operated radio station.
The Rt. Hon. Milton Cato: the then Premier of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, did not sit back idly and accept the harsh but true criticism of his government and himself. Age felt the iron fist of oppression, with suspension from his job, and eventually being fired from his government Job. The Man Age was denied the opportunity to earn a living in the land of his birth. Age struck back with his songs which became more popular with his oppressive act meted out against him. With the growing popularity of his songs, the Milton Cato government grew weaker and weaker as the people eyes were opened by the socially conscious messages in Age’s songs.
With all the political pressure that was placed upon the Man Age, he never relent, he never allow himself to be weaken nor, was his spirit broken; however, and in spite of the pressure, he rallied and he struck back harder with each of his song. Looking back; It is hard to understand how age made it, how he survived, under the conditions he was forced to face.
Not being afraid to further anger, the already angry Premier, The Man Age struck back with songs like: "This society needs spectacles, "They go band it" "In the Ghetto" etc. All political commentaries aimed at awakening the people to what was going on in the country and not to bring attention his personal hardship, but Age effort were geared to put the spot light on the hardship of the poor people that was created by governmental neglect.
In turn, all the unwanted attention, began to take it tole, as they chipped away and weaken the Milton Cato - Labor Party government. Ages songs caused stern supporters of Milton Cato and his government to see everything in a new lights. Age took his blows from the government as they oppression him and his family and he share some good blows also, as Premier: Milton Robert Cato became angrier with every song.
There was or is no other calypsonian in the Caribbean that generated the type of attention, politically and socially with their songs, in the same manner Errol Rose did in the 1970s. Similarly, there was no other calypsonian who suffered for their politically and socially conscious calypso message like Errol Rose did. Errol Rose awakens a nation and focused a spot light on St. Vincent and the Generated with his songs. He opened the eyes of the region and exposing the government lack of political accountability, poor governance, neglect of the poor, etc.
Errol Rose is a small man, but he is a giant in his struggle against government corruption, the neglect of the poor, and the oppression of the week. He is a prolific, conscious and studious writer who is verse in the psychology of song (written and spoken words) as is evident in his songs; especially that is pronounced in his song for 2018: "Its the people".
From the first song that was done by Errol Rose some forty plus years ago. to his most recent song and you will find that it has that quality voice, message the songs bring, and the manner the subjects are address, you will notice that they are relevant today the world over.
This is so because the aging one dealt with the never ending problems of, poverty, the oppression of the poor and the greed of the selected few to ignore these concerns because they benefit from such social problems. The song can be played any part of the world and address a current problem. Age songs are timeless.
It is hard to believe that Errol was only a man in his late teens early twenties when he was embroiled in such political conflicts. I tip my hat to Errol Rose "The Man Age," for still taking the fight to a new oppressor in a different era.
