Kaiso Dial is still here and we are all about calypso... just a reminder. So here we go with some of the songs that slipped past the hectic pace of Trinidad Carnival 2026; today, we turn our attention to a composition that refuses to whisper. “Hang Dem High” by Moses Monroe, known on the calypso circuit as Xposer, is a bold, uncompromising commentary on the state of crime and justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
Consider the track as a raw example of calypso music. It is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the fear, frustration, and moral exhaustion of a people who feel cornered by violence. The nation just witnessed the brutal and ungodly killing of a mother and father who were unloading groceries in Couva, Trinidad. Everyone seeing that video of the brutal slaying of parents in front of their child would appreciate the message in this song.
A Nation Wrestling With Crime
“More than that. It’s a cry of frustration. He’s saying the justice system is not working the way people expect. Criminals getting bail, cases dragging on, and the victims’ families left to suffer. He’s pushing the idea that if the system can’t protect the innocent, then something drastic has to change.”
So what needs to be done? This is a call for justice—dramatic measures.
Q-“Is that why he's calling for hanging?”
A-“Exactly. No, he is not celebrating violence—simply put, he’s reflecting the anger of a society that feels cornered. He’s saying:
- Crime out of control
- Families traumatized
- Lawyers helping repeat offenders get back on the street
Accountability Beyond the Criminals
- Politicians ignoring the public’s pleas
- And the people want accountability.”
Q-“So he is calling everybody out?”
A“Everybody. Criminals, lawyers, politicians—nobody spared. He’s basically saying if you’re part of the problem, you should face consequences too. That is the reason we love Calypso, it’s provocative, but that is the essence of the genre. We love calypso because It’s supposed to spark debate.”
A Cry for Safety and Stability
Q-“And beneath all that?”
A-“Beneath all that is a simple wish: people just want to feel safe again. They want consistency, justice, and a country where you can walk the street without fear. That’s the heart of the song.”
Final Thoughts
“Hang Dem High” is not a gentle song. It is not meant to soothe. It is a calypso forged in the heat of national frustration—a reminder that the art form remains one of the most powerful vehicles for social commentary in the Caribbean.
Whether you embrace Xposer’s stance or challenge it, the conversation he ignites is unavoidable. And that, at its core, is the reason we recite the following: Kaiso, Kaiso. Yes, Kaiso!
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song/Title: Hang Dem High
Written/Composed by—Moses Monroe
Sobriquet—Xposer
Background Vocals—Natalie Yorke and Carol Jacobs
Arranged by Pelham Goddard
Engineer—Calliston Pantor
Executive Producer—Moses Munroe
Recorded and Mixed @ Agra 9 Studio—Agra Street, St. James
Trumpets by Charles William
Saxes by Malcolm Boyce
Trombone by David Jacob
Guitar by Michael Chang Wai
Keyboard, Overdubs, Bass and Percussion by Pelham Goddard
Publish by Classic Promotion International (KPI)
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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