Interviews by Neola Damon with photographs by Arian Browne
Last week, a decision was taken to ban the calypsos sung by the top ten finalists in this year’s calypso monarch competition from airplay on NCN radio after a government minister found the winning song “God Nah Sleep” to be objectionable. We asked the people for their thoughts on the banning of the calypsos. Their responses follow:
Shondell Da Silva, self employed: ‘I don’t think that they should have banned the calypsos. Calypsos deal with everyday issues in the country. They should allow our local musicians a chance instead of those racy international songs that have a negative impact on our young people. Calypso is a Caribbean thing. It is part of our culture.’
Dolly Kaito: ‘I think that they should continue playing the calypso songs instead of that vulgar music that they are playing now. This kind of music has children who go to school dancing in these different styles and not focusing on their school work.’
Melvin Williams, film producer, screenwriter and director: ‘These people are artistes in their genre. They are speaking the truth about the issues and problems in the country. Calypso has been a part of our culture in our country. We have Calypso legends like the Mighty Sparrow and Dutchy who have sung about issues freely without any problem. Why are they stopping calypso music now? No profanity, but we want our calypso artistes to continue their music.’
Alana Welcome, salesperson: ‘I don’t think that they should have banned the calypsos. Recently there were vulgar calypsos and they should have banned those and allowed the rest so that persons would know that is not calypso, instead of removing a part of our culture.’
Abdul Rafiki: ‘I think that they should continue playing the calypsos. Calypso is different from any other genre of music. It makes persons aware of the problems in the country.’
Dwayne Alder: ‘I don’t that they should have banned the calypsos because calypso is a part of the Guyanese culture and it is coming from way back. It is a good kind of music to listen to. I grew up listening to this kind of music.’
Shellyann Williams, student: ‘They should not have banned it. Whatever they are singing about the government is true and the truth hurts. I believe that is the reason they banned it.’
Hubert Braithwaite, self-employed: ‘They should not have banned it. It is multicultural and I think that persons should have the right to free speech. Calypso originated in the Caribbean and everybody has their own interpretation.’
Lavern Gibson, self-employed: ‘I have listened to the calypsos and I see no problem with their lyrics. I don’t think that they should have banned it though. I do believe the reason why these calypsos were banned is because they inform persons about the problems in the country.’
Suzette Garraway, student: ‘I don’t know much about calypso music but I think that they should not have banned them. I remember Tennicia de Freitas sang ‘I Don’t Want To Be Born’ and I loved it. That song talked about discrimination and I am glad that it shone a light on that problem.’
