Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival.

Carnival Performers

Description: Within this article the topic of carnival is mentioned yet again, but unlike the previous article posted this one goes much deeper in depth. It starts off to explain the convergence of all the people of the nation together. It is also noted that nostalgia has a major role in carnival. The entire event allows native Trinidadians to reconfirm their cultural identities. Thus allowing "natives to become tourists on their own land". It is written that innovation also plays quite an important role in the festival itself. For example,  steel bands are highly incorporated within the performances  for they've risen out of previous Carnivals. Towards the end of the article it is said that Carnival has become quite commercialized.

Evaluation: After reading the following article, I could say anyone who would like to learn more about carnival would be quite intrigued with the text. It allows one to see there's more than meets the eye. Before reading this article one would see carnival as a simple gathering. Though once they read it, they'll find that the gathering is about people finding themselves. Instead of just knowing about the music of carnival one can also learn its history from the text. In the end, I would say the text mentioned above adds much insight to the world of carnival.


MLA: Rommen, Timothy. "Latin American Music Review." Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival 29.2 (2008): n. pag. JSTOR. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.

APA: Rommen, T. (2008, Fall/Winter). Latin American Music Review. Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival, 29(2).

Negotiation of Trinidadian Identity In Ragga Soca Music

Ragga Soca Album

Description: The article mentioned in the title strongly focuses on the influence of ragga soca, a form of music which derived from Trinidadians themselves. Within the text it is written that ragga soca is sung in Jamaican creole English. By using that very language the artists show their Trinidadian identity. As the article goes on, it is told that ragga soca like most music was highly debated. Many had said it stepped away from traditions such as calypso. For example, Jamaican dancehall had also influenced ragga soca. Early dancehall was known to include the subjects of drugs and sex. Artists like the famous Bunji Garlin had challenged people who judged ragga soca, with lyrics alone. Though they say its "devilish" he made his audience realize everyone has flaws. Towards the end of the article it is said that ragga soca is just what Trinidadian people need. Hence, its poetry for the ones facing economic hardships and controversial topics such as politics.

Evaluation: After reading the article, I would say anyone who is deeply into origins of music genre would truly appreciate it. It starts from the very begins of different genres and opens up to how ragga soca involved within it self. From mentioning successful artists to personal debates about the lyrics. The article goes quite in depth to capture the beginnings of what is known as ragga soca today.

MLA: Leung, Glenda Alica E. "Negotiation of Trinidadian identity in ragga soca music." World Englishes 28.4: 23. Web.

APA: Leung, G. A. E. (2009, December). Negotiation of Trinidadian identity in ragga soca music. World Englishes , 28(4), 23.

Nicki Minaj Trinidad's Success Story

Nicki Minaj

Description: CNN had just recently decided to write about Nicki Minaj, a Trinidadian native raised in New York.  Apart from her Trinidadian musicians Nikki wrote songs about having an alcoholic father who tried to burn down  their own house. Her story is sad like most of her fellow musicians but unlike calypso musicians, Nicki's success was instant. One thing is quite clear about Nicki, she is as colorful as her fellow sisters going to carnival. However, she did not live life in paradise.

Evaluation: I would say any fan of Trinidadians  would enjoy this article. However, any fan of true calypso music would find this story to be far from what they'd expect from a Trinidadian. It is clear that Nicki isquite the media mogul, but her taste of music is much different. Aside from her differences, the article defiantly paints a vivid story of struggling to reach fame.
MLA: Godfrey, Gavin. "Rapper Nicki Minaj: I'll show you more." Rev. of Nicki Minaj. www.cnn.com. CNN, Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2011.

APA: Godfrey, G. (2010, August). Rapper Nicki Minaj: I'll show you more. CNN.

Carnival Trinidad Style

Carnival Dancer

             Description: In this article the author describes a magnificent event called "carnival", where many people come together and enjoy Trinidadian music and culture for a whole week. Its known to be quite extravagant and colorful. From people covered in leaves to children playing steel drums. Everywhere you turn is another door to amazement.

Carnival Devil

Evaluation:  Unfortunately the author of the article was not listed but the piece tells the first hand experience from Debbie Ward. They're people dressed as blue devils and performing rain dance all around the area. Aside from that wine merchants begin to sell goods to all the visitors. According to Debbie it was a very wild event. Carnival is a reoccurring event and grows to something else entirely every year.
MLA: "CARIBBEAN: Dirty dancing Trinidad style." Travel Trade Gazette UK & Ireland (Apr. 2011): 49. Print. 
APA: CARIBBEAN: Dirty dancing Trinidad style. (2011, April 15). Travel Trade Gazette U  K & Ireland, 49.

David Rudder

David Rudder

Description: The following video features an entire Calypso orchestra playing music by David Rudder. Rudder is known as quite renown in calypso music. This shows the instruments behind this unique music. You see adults, teens, and children playing their heart out to the crowd. They're not only performing but they're also enjoying their own tunes. It seems as though their music is a calling of universal jubilation.

         Evaluation: Instead of just hearing the music, one is able to see the music being made in this video. The facial and body expressions of the musicians give great energy to the piece. One does not only hear the music, they feel as though they are there. The atmosphere of the event also shows a great gathering of people across a certain region. 

Citation: David Rudder Calypso Music - Sonata Steel Orchestra

by WST

Kenny Cooper - The Mighty Bomber A Musical Career in Trinidad (West Indies)

Kenny Cooper alongside his wife Cynthia

Description: The following article tells of how the author had met Kenny Cooper (The Mighty Bomber) a musical genius of Calypso music. He started creating music at a very young age in Trinidad. One of his earliest songs was about his neighbor who used to cook. “Cheadow” became the hit of the town. Afterwards Cooper began to cook too and stopped studying calypso for a while. Sooner or later he began making songs around his home. He had changed his name from “defender” to “bomber”, and the rest was history. The Bomber was one of the greatest performers in calypso.

Evaluation: The story of Kenny Cooper is one to be told for ages. It is filled with childhood laughter and a long struggle. From cooking to singing, Cooper had made great strides to reach fame even if he didn’t ask for it. His persistence of singing had led to catchy tunes to an abundance of listeners. His songs related to everyone from his days for he wrote about personal experiences. Cooper was truly a “The Bomber” for his music hit with a force.

APA: Meyer, Andreas. "Kenny Cooper - The Mighty Bomber A Musical Career in Trinidad (West Indies)." Popular Music  18.2: 277-290. Web.

MLA: Meyer, Andreas. "Kenny Cooper - The Mighty Bomber A Musical Career in Trinidad

     (West Indies)." Popular Music 18.2 (1999): 277-290. JSTOR. Web. 8 Dec.

     2011. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/853606>.

     

Peter Ram - Woman By My Side

Description: The video to the right features music by Peter Ram who truly captures the feeling of Soca a form of Trinidadian music. His song creates the over all feeling of love which is connected to all for its universal. The video also shows the beauty of his native island. Peter also takes a chance to talk about different events such as festival time. 

Evaluation: After watching the following video the artist Peter Ram makes many points clear. He is a man who has strong pride for his home land. Throughout the video the scenes of his island show that hes intrigued by the beauty of its nature. Speaking of beauty, Ram also describes his love of the island woman. Hence, Woman By My Side.

Citation: "Woman By My Side", Peter Ram