Veteran calypsonian Cro Cro has sounded the alarm on what he describes as the silencing of social commentary in calypso, warning that the genre’s historic role as a voice against injustice is fading.
Speaking on the Corey Shepard Podcast, the multiple-time Calypso Monarch stated that social commentary—the foundation of calypso—is being discouraged, leading fewer artistes to tackle pressing national issues through their music. ‘It’s dead, boy,’ he said bluntly when asked about the state of commentary calypso.
Cro Cro argued that performers are increasingly choosing safer subjects over songs that challenge political leaders or address social concerns. According to him, this shift has weakened the art form and moved it away from its historical purpose. ‘Calypso was born on the plantation,’ he said, emphasizing its role in speaking truth to power.
During the interview, Cro Cro also questioned the judging process in calypso competitions, claiming that affiliations and other factors influence which performers advance. He suggested that talented social commentary artistes often struggle to reach the finals despite strong public support, and that younger calypsonians who wish to perform commentary songs face an uphill battle.
Reflecting on recent competitions, Cro Cro lamented the absence of strong social commentary, noting that audiences no longer consistently hear songs addressing major national issues. ‘What are they supposed to do?’ he asked, implying many competitors now avoid controversial topics to improve their chances.
While acknowledging that new talent continues to emerge, Cro Cro maintained that the genre’s strength has always been its willingness to challenge authority and provoke discussion. His comments have reignited conversation about the future direction of calypso and whether social and political commentary remains central to the art form in modern competitions.
