The music must go on

TT Carnival 2021 joins a long line of carnivals that have been physically cancelled or postponed because of the covid19 pandemic.

Despite this, there has been a slow and steady stream of new music being released, as many artistes believe the music must go on.

Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry is one of many who has new releases for 2021. His Backyard Jam is in heavy rotation on the radio and he also recently released 1Fam with Machel Montano and Don Iko.

For him, music is a part of his happiness and is his livelihood. But, while this is so, he has also made other investments to “fall back on.”

The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the entertainment industry, with virtual or online events being its major platform for now, but he believes that artistes should still release music.

“We have to spend more money for our craft, but we can’t sit back and not release,” he said.

He said he always has his funds for recording, as it is his talent and tool. He said artistes have to do videos to release their songs now as they were not performing songs live any more. The videos will give audiences a closeness to the artiste, he said.

Many entertainers have not worked since March and he said the grants offered may not be enough to sustain some who have rents and car notes among other bills. Additionally, he said, the virtual platforms were not beneficial, as only certain people were paid.

He believes his Backyard Jam is appropriate for what is happening in the music world at the moment, where it calls for smaller numbers to gather.

“But if we have ten people to gather, ten people can beat an iron and still enjoy themselves somewhere to ease up the frustration...”

He said the song also sends a message to the government and to people, “Yo, give us the backyard. Give us smaller events.”

Kevon “Yankey Boy” Heath

Kevon “Yankey Boy” Heath plans to release five songs for 2021. He has already released one, All Over Your Body.

He said although the pandemic has affected him, as he is unable to travel to promote his music, he believes it is important that artistes still release music, not only for marketing purposes but also because there is a possibility of things suddenly picking up.

“It is tough for artistes who do not have access to studios, but it is still important for artistes who are mid-range or a lower level to release music, because any time there is an up period, there will be a down, and any time there is a down period, there will be an up.”

He said this was the best time for an unknown artiste to release music because “the handful of artistes we see as big is not going to release ten or 15 songs this year which used to flood the radio.

“Now is a good time for an unknown person to try their best and do whatever to invest in at least one, because they (radio stations) need more material.”

But, he said, many artistes and entertainers are struggling.

“We are taking the hit hard,” he said, because they are spending more, with nothing coming in.

“You might see virtual shows and all of that, but it is just trying to keep yourself out there and hoping and praying that it is going away.

“Not because we smiling on social media, don’t believe everything on social media. Things hard for every artiste. We are only human beings too.”

Calypso Monarch Terri Lyons

Reigning Calypso Monarch Terri Lyons shares Yankey Boy's sentiment.

“I want people who are not in the life of an artiste to bear with us and understand that an artiste is a human being too who has bills just like everyone else.

“We sacrifice a lot to get things done for our fans. Half of the time we coming on Instagram and dancing and giggling – and as that comes off, we go in a corner and cry.”

Releasing music is now more important since “music is an emotion, a feeling, and now more than ever people need music.”

She said the music is more than competitions but the livelihoods of many.

Lyons said many artistes are using streaming platforms like Spotify and seeing how much they can get from them, but releasing for the fans is very important because they are still there.

“This is what we love...once you love something you will continue doing it. It is not a hustle to us,” she said.

As an artiste, it has been difficult as this year was her major breakthrough year and she would have been travelling a lot more, at a different price.

However, she is still grateful because she is in a better position than many.

Lyons has also been doing all she can to assist her fellow artistes. In collaboration with Wack 90.1 FM, she has been hosting virtual concerts and doing a concert series called Calypso Fest for which she hires other calypsonians to come and sing and they are paid.

While she knows it has been financially difficult for many, she too agrees that artistes should release new music, possibly not as many as in previous years.

She will be releasing two tracks for 2021, a calypso and a soca.

Young King Addelon “Banjela” Braveboy

Reigning 2020 Young King Addelon “Banjela” Braveboy has also released music for 2021. His track is called Tabanka For Bumpa.

He too believes artistes should release music for 2021 despite there not being a physical Carnival.

He said he wanted the world to know that even though TT is unable to have a Carnival as it would like to, it does not mean that the Carnival could be taken away.

Carnival is TT’s heritage, love, culture and Africanness, he said.

Soca and calypso are not seasonal for Banjela. Releasing his song is a way of him expressing who he is and his love for TT’s culture.

Soca, he said, is every day of his life. Like many other artistes, the cancellation and postponement of carnivals regionally and internationally has financially affected him.

“When I travel, I do different genres of music. So it has affected me a lot as I travel to different parts of the world to represent TT in many aspects.”

But he is self-employed and is also a producer, which allows him other sources of income despite the pandemic.

While the many negatives from the pandemic are glaring, Banjela sees an opportunity for TT and the region to change the seasonal perception of soca and calypso. He said this is a time to show the world that soca and calypso are a dynamic music coming out of TT and the Caribbean.