Let’s Calypso

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The calypso style of Afro-Caribbean music has both European and African roots. It was first performed in Trinidad and Tobago. The genre developed because the African slaves who arrived in Trinidad were not allowed to speak, so they learned how to communicate through songs. You can learn a lot about calypso by listening to the songs of the singer known as the King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte. One of my favorite songs is “Jump in the Line.” A very cleverly created video on YouTube has combined his song with Old Hollywood film scenes, and you can see actress Rita Hayworth jump in the line among other actors like Fred Astaire. .