Cadencelypso: When Calypso Took a Creole Twist

Tracing Calypso Currents: Diaspora Styles, Stories, and Sounds—Kaiso Dial makes the connection.

Ever heard of Cadencelypso? If not, you’re in for a treat. Think of it as calypso’s adventurous cousin—the one who left Trinidad for a while, hung out in Dominica, soaked up Haitian cadence, and came back with a whole new groove.

Back in the 1970s, Gordon Henderson and his band Exile One decided to experiment. They fused the storytelling wit of calypso with the driving rhythms of Haitian cadence rampa, sprinkled in some jazz and blues, and voilà—Cadencelypso was born. It wasn’t just music; it was a movement. Dominica suddenly possessed a sound that could rival Trinidad's calypso and Jamaica's reggae.

What makes Cadencelypso special?

• The beat: Heavy drums and bass that make your feet move before your brain catches up.
• The vibe: Creole lyrics, often playful but sometimes deeply political.
• The reach: From Dominica, it spread like wildfire to Guadeloupe, Martinique, and even Africa, laying the foundation for genres like zouk and bouyon.

And let’s not forget the voices that carried it forward. Ophelia Marie, Dominica’s “Queen of Cadencelypso,” brought elegance and power to the style, while bands like Midnight Groovers kept the dance floors hot.

So why should you care today? Because Cadencelypso is proof that calypso isn’t static—it evolves, adapts, and keeps surprising us. It’s a reminder that Caribbean music is one big conversation across islands, languages, and histories.

Next time you’re curating your Carnival playlist, slip in a Cadencelypso track. You’ll hear calypso’s wit, Haiti’s heartbeat, and Dominica’s soul all in one.

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