By WeUpdates
Trinidad & Tobago, the vibrant twin-island republic, has gifted the world with two of the most infectious and influential music genres in Caribbean history: Calypso and Soca. From the witty social commentary of Lord Kitchener to the pulsating rhythms of Machel Montano, both genres have left an indelible mark on global music culture. Yet, as the international spotlight on Caribbean music grows, a question that continues to stir debate at home and in the diaspora is: Which genre is more recognized when it comes to the most prestigious music awardâthe Grammy?
The Origins and Global Influence
Calypso, the elder of the two, dates back to the early 20th century and was born out of resistance, social commentary, and African oral traditions. Icons like The Mighty Sparrow, Roaring Lion, and Lord Invader used clever lyrics and melodic storytelling to critique colonialism, politics, and daily life. Calypso became an intellectual artformâpoetry set to music. Its impact was so strong that it found its way into international charts as early as the 1950s and 60s, with artists like Harry Belafonte, who, although American, popularized the Calypso sound globally with his 1956 album Calypsoâthe first LP to sell over one million copies.
Soca, developed in the 1970s by Lord Shorty (later Ras Shorty I), emerged as a fusion of Calypso and East Indian rhythms. It was designed to be more rhythmically driven, dance-focused, and carnival-ready. Soca evolved over the decades into subgenres such as Power Soca, Groovy Soca, and even Afro-Soca, making it a staple in Caribbean Carnivals worldwide and influencing genres like Afrobeats, Dancehall, and EDM. Modern stars like Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, and Kes the Band have taken Soca to international stages, from Coachella to BET Awards.
Grammy Recognition: Whoâs Leading the Charge?
Despite their widespread appeal and cultural significance, neither Calypso nor Soca has a dedicated Grammy Award category. However, both genres have made appearancesâeither directly or through influenceâunder various categories such as Best World Music Album, Best Reggae Album, and Best Tropical Latin Album.
In Grammy history, Calypso has had more visibility, primarily due to Harry Belafonte, whose Calypso album and others earned him Grammy recognition in the late 50s and early 60s. Although Belafonte was not Trinidadian, his interpretations of Calypso helped introduce the genre to international audiences and the Grammy stage.
Soca, while more contemporary and popular in Caribbean Carnival culture, has struggled to gain formal recognition from the Recording Academy. Machel Montano, often dubbed the “King of Soca,” has submitted multiple albums for Grammy consideration and even campaigned for Soca to be included as a Grammy category. In 2017, Montano joined forces with international engineers and stakeholders to push for genre inclusion. Though unsuccessful thus far, the movement helped bring greater attention to the absence of Soca in Grammy classifications.
Industry Push for Representation
In recent years, there has been a growing call from Caribbean music stakeholders for the Grammy Awards to introduce a distinct category for Soca and/or Calypso, arguing that their cultural impact, production quality, and international reach warrant acknowledgment on par with Reggae, which has had a Grammy category since 1985. The Reggae Grammy, though intended to spotlight Jamaican music, has inadvertently become a blanket category for many Caribbean soundsâfurther overshadowing the unique contributions of Calypso and Soca.
Organizations such as Caribbean Music Awards (CMAs) and the Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) have also weighed in, urging for formal recognition, classification, and support for genre-specific Grammy representation. The challenge lies in lobbying, data collection, and consistent international release and promotion of the genresâelements that the Recording Academy heavily considers when reviewing category proposals.
Cultural Legacy vs. Commercial Visibility
When assessing Grammy recognition, it becomes clear: Calypso holds historical weight and early visibility, while Soca leads in global performance circuits and commercial appealâbut both are still underserved in musicâs highest honor system. This lack of representation raises larger questions about cultural bias, regional music politics, and the need for equitable inclusion in global music institutions.
Trinidad & Tobago continues to lead the charge for both genres, with artists and advocates pushing boundaries and lobbying for space in the international music arena. Until formal Grammy categories exist for Calypso or Soca, recognition will remain largely symbolic, rather than institutional.
Conclusion
So, which genre is more recognized for a Grammy Award? The answer is nuanced. Calypso has received historical nods, thanks to its early crossover into American markets via figures like Harry Belafonte. However, in terms of current global appeal and Grammy campaign efforts, Soca is charging ahead, making headlines and challenging norms. Both genres are vital threads in the Caribbean’s musical fabricâand the fight for Grammy recognition is not about competition, but validation for an entire regionâs voice.
The world is dancing to the rhythm of Trinidad & Tobago. Now it’s time the Grammy Awards listened.