Swimming against the tide: This is a catch‑up post while we process the surge of new calypso drops.
We have heard it said so many times: we need to break free of mental slavery. What does that really mean? And for this song, what is the singer attempting to tell us? He is telling us that over generations, the growth of people and nations is stifled because of the lingering psychological, cultural, and social effects of slavery. Written by Allana “Warrior Queen” Salandy and produced by Christopher Sam, the song blends sharp commentary with classic calypso storytelling to examine how education, economics, politics, and culture continue to influence our sense of self. The slave master may not be here with his whip, but he left systems in place to continue enslaving people.
We need to answer the question of how we break free. What makes “Mental Slavery” resonate is its insistence that our freedom, our liberation, comes from within us. The song challenges listeners to question inherited beliefs (be bold and ask questions, don't blindly believe and walk by faith, and question and challenge norms), recognize modern systems of control, and reclaim personal and collective power. When you identify the chains, only then can you break free.
The Calypsonian and his words of wisdom in song bring the message we need to hear. Rooted in tradition yet speaking directly to today’s realities, the song stands as both a call to consciousness and a cultural mirror—urging us to think, to question, and to rise.
YouTube Music Release Notes:
Mental Slavery is a powerful, socially conscious calypso that confronts the invisible systems that continue to bind our people long after physical chains were removed. Through sharp lyrics and traditional calypso storytelling, the song explores themes of colonization of the mind, education reform, financial literacy, political dependence, and self-empowerment.
Mental Slavery is intended to awaken critical thinking, encourage economic independence, and remind listeners that true freedom begins within the mind. This song challenges us to question modern systems of control and to reclaim our identity, culture, and power.
Rooted in the spirit of classic calypso while addressing modern realities, Mental Slavery is both a call to consciousness and a cultural reflection meant to educate, provoke dialogue, and inspire change.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Mental Slavery
Artist/Performed by: John Oh Cool
Written and Composed by Allana (Warrior Queen) Salandy
Produced by: Christopher Sam (Ultra Brass Studio)
Mixed & Mastered—Money Circle Records
Background Vocals—Allana (Warrior Queen) Salandy
Trumpet—Christopher Sam (Ultra Brass Studios)
Alto Sax—Brigid Sam (Trinisaxtress)
Guitar—Emerson Dyer
Percussion: bass, guitar, and drums—Gieron Mang (Mang Productions)
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
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