Music of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Caribbean island with thriving music scenes based on Big Drum, calypso, soca, steelpan and also reggae. String band music, quadrille and bele music and traditional storytelling are also popular. The national anthem of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is ""St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful"", adopted upon independence in 1979; it was written by Phyllis Joyce McClean Punnett with music by Joel Bertram Miguel [National Anthems Reference Page].
The most popular international singer from St. Vincent is Kevin Lyttle, whose "Turn Me On" topped charts across Europe [SVG Tourism]. There are a number of Vincentian recording studios, which include: Skakes Studio, JR Studios, Sky studio, Non-fiction (Kubiyashi), Masterroom and Hysyanz.
Big Drum
Main article: Big DrumBig Drum music is performed throughout the Windward Islands and is especially known in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The drums are traditionally made from tree trunks, but are more often made from rum kegs now. The socially aware or satirical lyrics are usually performed by a female singer called a chantwell, and is accompanied by dancers in colorful skirts and headresses. Big Drum is commonly performed at weddings and other celebrations, especially the launches of boats [Cultural Profiles Project].
Calypso
Main article: Calypso musicCalypso, with its satirical and socio-political lyrics, was developed in 18th century as a fusion of African and French music styles. It eventually accompanied the rise of steelpan music. Steelpan were imported to Saint Vincent quickly. Calypso's political lyrics have continued to be an important part of the genre. In 1984, a Vincentian musician named Beckett released a song called "Horne fuh dem", which helped defeat the ruling party in that year's election [Cultural Profiles Project: Arts and Literature].
Festivals and holidays
The Carnival is the biggest holiday in Saint Vincent. It is held in the last week of June and the first of July, and is known on the islands as Vincy mas. Festivities include calypso, soca and steelpan performances, many of them in large, competitive formats [Cultural Profiles Project: Holidays].
Other holidays with musical components include the Christmas celebrations, which occur beginning on December 15 and include carolling, concerts and bicycle races. Union Island holds an annual calypso competition, as well as the Big Drum Festival [Cultural Profiles Project: Holidays].
References
Notes
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