Don’t Let Calypso Slip Into the Shadows
If I had the ability to write calypso lyrics, the following phrase would surely be in my song, "Before Soca takes over, remember Calypso!" Now let's talk some truths... As Trinidad and Tobago approaches Carnival 2027, the energy is already building. Soca releases are coming out earlier than ever, steelband competitions are warming up before parang season even starts, and national attention is already turning toward February.
But in all this excitement, something important is at risk:
Calypso is being pushed into the background—again.
For years now, Calypso lovers have watched a troubling pattern repeat itself. Many radio stations simply do not play new Calypsos, and artists, knowing this, often don’t bother sending their music in. The result? A genre that built our Carnival—our storytelling, our social commentary, our cultural backbone—is fighting for oxygen in its homeland.
Today, the main outlets consistently giving Calypso a voice are WACK 90.1 FM, Kaiso Dial, Sokah2Soca, and of course, YouTube, where artists can bypass the gatekeepers and reach listeners directly. These platforms have become the lifeline for a genre that deserves far more respect and visibility.
And that brings us to a moment worth celebrating.
A Bright Spark for 2027: Keipalo’s “Open Your Eyes”
Recently, Sokah2Soca featured a powerful new release from Trinidadian‑born, Canada‑based artist Keipalo (Keith Bishop). The track, “Open Your Eyes,” has already stirred excitement among Calypso fans—and for good reason.
When 'Lenny D Trini' heard the song, his reaction was clear. He called it a release that makes you “fasten your seatbelts and tune up your musical helmets,” because if this is how the 2027 Calypso/Kaiso season is starting, we’re in for something special.
Keipalo delivers a message that speaks directly to the heart of the nation.
“Open Your Eyes” urges listeners—especially the youth—to choose life over violence, to wake up, stand firm, and reclaim their sense of purpose. The lyrics are sharp, clean, and intentional. The melody is sweet enough to hold your attention from start to finish. It’s Calypso with clarity, conscience, and cultural weight.
This is precisely the kind of music Trinidad and Tobago needs right now.
This is precisely the kind of music that belongs on the radio.
This is precisely the kind of music that proves Calypso is still alive, still relevant, and still capable of moving a nation.
A Call to Action for Carnival 2027
As the Carnival engine revs up, let’s not let the early Soca rush drown out Calypso. Let’s give these artists—veterans and newcomers alike—the platforms, the visibility, and the respect they deserve.
Calypso is not background music.
Calypso is not seasonal filler.
Calypso is culture, commentary, identity, and truth.
Sokah2Soca, Kaiso Dial, and WACK 90.1 FM will continue to champion the genre. But real change happens when listeners demand Calypso, artists feel encouraged to release it, and media remembers its responsibility to the culture.
Carnival 2027 is coming fast.
Let’s make sure Calypso comes with it—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore.
Featured Music/Soca/Calypso Insight
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Open Your Eyes
Artist/Performed by: KeiPalo
Written/Composed by: Keith Bishop
Produced/Mixed and Mastered by: GQ Maxzmum
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso 🎶
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