Rebel with a cause
five time winner calls for calypso revival
By Iana Seales
Stabroek News
February 24, 2007
Calypso in Guyana has only ever had one real rebel, though a few in the art form have been radical with their social commentary in the past. Ironically, he performs under the stage name Mighty Rebel and over the years has raised an untold number of eyebrows
He has around 15 songs which could be considered really bold because of who he sang about, what he had to say and the time he chose to do it. "Ask De President", which won him the calypso monarchy in 2001 is one such but more famous than that was "Dessie Yuh Wrong", another wining piece.
On Saturday last, true to form, he presented the most daring piece at the Adult Calypso Competition. In a final that lacked creative and interesting pieces he stormed on stage with "Is We Put Yuh Deh" and walked away with the title for a fifth time. The song is honest, harsh and directly addresses the President. It is also catchy and humorous and has that signature rebel touch to it.
"Again we see you win the election, another time around President Jagdeo
But don't think you macho and strong because you gone back to number one
You coulda neva neva do it on you own
Two thousand and six August 28 that is the day we decide we faith
But you should remember one little thing, is not where you are but where you begin"
"Is we put you deh, is we put you deh
Despite of the things that we seeing today we still put you deh
All the time was endless confusion
People killing deh brother, man
Now you gat to stop this thing right away because is we put you deh".
Rebel, in a recent interview, said he is never concerned about the reaction he will get from people when his songs get out because his focus is always on the message. He said social commentary is what makes calypso distinct and he enjoys going public with his material. He said if people and their reactions become the focus his calypsos will be never be the same and he will no longer be the rebel that he is.
The calypsonian told us he nearly was not Rebel. When he first burst onto the scene and had to find a stage name he came up with The Midget. A name he thought of given his stature but a close friend urged him not to use the name and suggested Mighty Rebel instead. He decided to go with it.
Opening up about his winning song, he said it takes a serious look at what was happening in the country before and after the recent elections with a particular focus on crime. He said it speaks directly to the President with the hope that he would bring about much needed changes.
According to Rebel, it is a not a matter of who voted for or against the current government rather it is about what the government intends to do about the issues affecting the country.
Somehow, he said, his songs usually are about what experiences he has had or how he feels about what is going on in the country. Rebel pointed out that many people could often relate to his songs which add to their popularity. He now has a large fan base which sometimes follows him wherever he goes across the country to spread his message through songs.
"I sing for the people. I wanted to retire many, many years ago but the fans would not allow me. They ask for me every year and seek me out to find out what I have this year for them. It is so encouraging that I find myself appearing on stage year after year and long after I believed I was going to be there," Rebel said.
In his 20+ years career he has also had several second place finishes in the Adult Calypso Competition. He was so frustrated at the many second positions that he sang about it 1988; an explosive piece called "Second-hand Man" which won the monarchy for the first time.
Many of the memorable performances he has given over the years have been so long ago he hardly remembers most of them. He has aged since bursting onto the scene in 1978 with a song called, "Jonestown Affair" and vaguely remembers the lyrics of some of the better songs he has done.
But he remembers all so well how much people have embraced him and his music over the years. He said winning is just like losing to him since he no longer gets excited about either. Rebel said he would perform at a competition and have fun while on stage with the fans cheering on. If he wins he is happy about it and if he loses he thinks nothing of it.
The way he puts it is that, "when you are in it long enough the satisfaction comes from the people not the wins". He said he plans to continue singing calypsos for as long as he has the strength to. Already he has a song for next year. It is the first time he has ever had a song so early.
Rebel writes all his songs and takes pride in the fact that he also adds the melody to them. However, he said people would assist with the arrangement. His last piece was arranged by Cecil Bovell.
Before he ventured into calypso, Rebel said, he sang with a band called The Hermits which broke up in 1978. He recalled singing in the band to rave reviews from audiences, which gave him the courage to start a solo career after the band split.
Rebel is of the opinion that soca music is rising in Guyana to the detriment of calypso music. He said the soca tunes have very little to offer yet many follow them more closely. He said calypso has a message and is more than "rags and flags" but has been neglected at all levels.
He said the calypsonians who still sing should be praised for sticking with it. Like him, he said, they do it for the love of it. Rebel who has travelled extensively and performed in various countries believes that it is not too late to for calypso to be revived to take its rightful place on the local scene. He said it is going to take much work though. ianaseales@yahoo.com