Calypso and current events

C.W. Stoneking singing Brave Son of America a song praising General MacArthur. It is a cover of an old calypso song, origianlly done by Wilmouth Houdini. Houdini was from Trinidad and Tobago, although he relocated to New York were he performed his music. 

Early calypso music is interesting in that it often, like Brave Son of America, dealt with current events. It was one way that news was disseminated and opinions shaped. Below are two more examples, Edward VIII by Lord Caresser and  Roosevelt in Trinidad by Attila the Hun.