Calypso Rose, considered the "mother of calypso," was the first woman to become a calypso star and is credited with changing the sexist tone of calypso lyrics. This Trinidadian artist's songs speak strongly about social and political issues and follow the calypso musical tradition that she described as being a "domestical, spiritual, economical and political" commentary.
Background
Calypso Rose was bom in the village of Bethel on the island of Tobago on April 27, 1940. Some sources state her given name as McCartha Lewis, and others McCartha Sandy. What is known is that she was named in honor of World War II American General Douglas McArthur. Her father was a Baptist minister and the head of a very traditional family that was opposed to her competing in carnival tents, clubs, or sites where groups of musicians perform sponsored by a particular merchant or company.
Education
Nevertheless, she began singing as an amateur at the age of 15 in Bethel and turned professional in 1964. Her composition "Fire in Me Wire," recorded in eight languages worldwide, is considered calypso's unofficial anthem and placed her on the Caribbean calypso music map in 1966. Since that time, as a woman in a male-dominated arena, she has successfully challenged and contributed to the world of music by writing and producing many hit songs.
Career
She lives in New York City, frequently performs before huge audiences in other American cities, and is a recurrent featured artist on Carnival Cruise Line ships. Having effectively triumphed in the calypso world, she has branched out to combine other forms of music in her songs. "Soca" (modern Trinidadian pop mu-sic, a combination of soul and calypso) has been embraced by her fans both in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the world. In 1994 she wrote and produced the very successful CD Soca Diva, which was showcased in a worldwide tour and garnered her another musical honor. In 1995 she won Best Female Soca Artist at the 1995 Reggae Soca Awards in Miami, Florida. Her Ringband Queen CD (2000) explores the more current and upbeat tempo of soca's offshoot, "ring-band" music.
Calypso Rose has traveled all over the world with her music and has won awards during every year of her professional life. The Trinidad and Tobago gov-ernment, by order of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England, bestowed on her the Medal of Merit in 1975. In 1983 she was named Top Female Calypsonian by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. She was recognized as the Most Outstanding Woman in Trinidad and Tobago by the National Women's Action Committee in 1991 and was inducted into the Tobago Walk of Fame as a charter member in 1993. In 1999 the Tobago House Assembly decreed that its new hospital would be named the McCartha Lewis Memorial Hospital, in her honor. That same year she received the International Caribbean Music Award's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Considered a trailblazer, Calypso Rose has been tearing down the door of a male-dominated field for a long time, consistently producing hit after hit, and even taking on the innovative rhythms of soca very successfully. Feeling very strongly about the social importance of her music and lyrics, and considering herself very spiritual, Rose has recently turned her attention to yet another genre gospel music and recently released a CD titled Jesus Is My Rock
Politics
Some of her songs recognized as important political commentary include "The Balance Wheel" and "Respect the Balisier." Compositions that have raised awareness of current social problems include "Gun Play on the Parkway" and "Help." A vibrant and exciting performer, she has also written unforgettable, contagiously rhythmic party songs that when combined in her live appearances with drums and whistles keep audiences dancing. Throughout her career she has performed with other well-known artists of other musical genres such as Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, Michael Jackson, and most recently, Roberta Flack.
In 1991 she was one of the figures featured in the film One Hand Don’t Clap, a documentary about the history of calypso and soca. Her remark acknowledging the support she received from calypso great Lord Kitchener during the early years of her career provided the title for the film.