In the Caribbean, many other cultures' proverbs influence the way people think. For that reason the calypsonian can bring revealing insight into the root of family and the relations that evolve from those relationships. Step in Rivaldo London; the young man comes with a bold correction to one of the Caribbean’s most sacred sayings. His new calypso, “Water Thicker,” flips the script on the old belief that blood is thicker than water, exposing a truth many know but few dare to sing: sometimes the people who share your DNA are the first to disappear when you need them most.
I listened to this calypso while traveling from New York to Hampshire College in Massachusetts on Saturday, but I only decided to do the post tonight. I was impressed with the maturity and delivery of the song by Rivaldo. And, I was impressed because this calypso is overflowing with wisdom and Rivaldo makes it clear—loyalty is not guaranteed by lineage, and family ties can be as conditional as the weather! This principle also applies to friends and family who are not always reliable. In his telling, water—the friends, mentors, neighbors, and chosen kin who stand by you—often proves stronger, purer, and more dependable than the blood relatives who only show up when there’s something to gain.
This is classic calypso territory: social commentary wrapped in melody, truth delivered with rhythm, and a message sharpened by lived experience. And Rivaldo handles it with the maturity of a man who has watched enough family politics to know that love and loyalty don’t always share the same surname.
Co‑arranged by the legendary Kenny Phillips, Water Thicker carries the unmistakable stamp of real calypso craftsmanship. Live instruments breathe through the arrangement—brass lines with authority, percussion with heartbeat, and bass with intention. Nothing here feels synthetic or mass‑produced. The result is a calypso built the old way, with hands, ears, and decades of cultural memory guiding every bar.
And Rivaldo’s delivery? Confident. Clear. Monarch‑ready. He sings like a man who knows exactly what stage he’s aiming for—and exactly what crown he intends to claim. Let me tell you, Rivaldo's voice and vocal delivery are smooth and silky. He will be a problem for this upcoming Calypso Monarch season.
Water Thicker feels like a finalist before the judges even take their seats. The message is strong, the production is clean, and the authenticity is undeniable. Rivaldo isn’t just challenging a proverb; he’s challenging the audience to rethink who really stands with them when the music stops.
This calypso is one to watch. This is one we endorse. The result is calypso doing what calypso was born to do—tell the truth, even when the truth cuts deep.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Water Thicker
Artist/Performed by: Rivaldo London
Written by: Rivaldo London
Arranged by: Kenny Phillips and Rivaldo London
Keyboard—Emile Fortune
Guitars—Kenny Phillips
Bass—Master Rodney Alexander
Drum Kit—Charles Williams
Sax—Oral Rodriguez
Trombone—David Jacob
Background vocals—Tricia Hamilton
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso 🎶
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