Sokah2Soca

Image from YouTube music video.

The carnival is over, and some things just can't seem to change in Trinidad and Tobago. After discussing colonial times and the Ash Wednesday Calypso music blackout, we should have learned something. We yearn for our culture to progress, yet the stations succumb to the outdated traditions and drift away from Soca and Calypso. Today we are talking about an excellent calypso titled "Rise or Demise." Isn't "Rise or Demise" an apt calypso to accompany my rant? But no, this  Calypso is more than that; it is a beautifully written song by Trinidad and Tobago's leading Calypso songwriter, Kurt Allen, aka 'The Last Bardjohn of Calypso." The art of Calypso and the music that accompanies the lyrics come from the mastermind, Kenny Phillips, of KMP Music Lab. This song calls on all of us to rise to the occasion; it is a call to introspection, action and unity. 

I recently learned something important that I will take with me wherever I go: "I am enough." We are all blessed with greatness but keep it suppressed. This song is a call to action. The actions we take on a daily basis will determine our successes. Kurt Allen is a brilliant songwriter weaving narratives that challenge listeners. Nicole, in her calypso sermon, exhorts us to face challenges at life's pivotal moments. By making the right choices, we can excel as a nation. 

When I decided to do this post, I deliberately chose to mention 'a missed opportunity.' I recently watched a YouTube podcast where one of the hosts said that you have to sing a politically charged song to win the Calypso Monarch. I was disappointed to hear that and obviously left a comment. Please listen to this song and contemplate the possibility of reevaluating our judging criteria. Additionally, why doesn't the radio play this song every day?

Radio stations, DJs, and music enthusiasts are urged to keep this song in rotation, ensuring its message reaches far and wide. Community leaders and educators can also incorporate its themes into discussions and initiatives that promote positive change.    WACK Visual Radio stands out as an anomaly. It's a lone radio station struggling in the wilderness, leaving us to question why our music isn't receiving the recognition it deserves. 

I have a message for DJs like Mr. Desmond, who seem to believe that to contribute to the culture, one must step out from behind the computer screen to recognize brilliance and promote our culture... Not all of us are party animals, but when was the last time you attended an event without DJing? And when was the last time you played this song?  I agree that the experience of being in the crowd, feeling the energy, and connecting with the audience can inspire new ideas and fresh perspectives. But it's crucial to keep in mind that our culture's vitality is not solely derived from the fête or party environment but from all forms of engagement with the music and culture. 

We finish with a call to action:

Carnival may be over, but the relevance of "Rise or Demise" endures. Let us not allow this gem to fade into obscurity. Radio stations, DJs, and music enthusiasts are urged to keep this song in rotation, ensuring its message reaches far and wide. Community leaders and educators can also incorporate its themes into discussions and initiatives that promote positive change.

"Rise or Demise" is not just a song; it is a movement poised for action. Let us rise to the occasion and ensure its legacy lives on.

Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.

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Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Rise or Demise 

Artist/Performed by: Nicole Greaves 

Background Vocals: Nicole Vocals

Written by: Kurt Allen (The Last Bardjohn of Calypso)

Arranged & Produced by: Kenny Phillips

Recording Studio: KMP Music Lab

Keys: Emile Fortune

Bass: Rodney Alexander

TPT/Drum Kit: Roger Jaggassar

Saxaphone: Oral Rodriguez

Trombone: David Jacob

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Year: 2025

Genre: Calypso

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. Sokah2Soca/Soca 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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