Urban Cultural Revival- Music

Sale of Music in Port Of Spain

Picture Courtesy Kristal Maharaj

The basis of Trinidad and Tobago’s music lay in the invention of the steel pan in the 1930’s. This came about as a resistance mechanism by the ex-enslaves population who turned to playing empty oil drums and creating their own melodies to satisfy their musical yearning after being denied the opportunity to play their ancestral instruments. Colonial masters believed that by allowing them to play these instruments would afford them opportunity to communicate messages amongst themselves and result in the plotting of insurrections on the plantations. The involvement of persons playing the steel pan and generating authentic Trinidadian  music accompanied by performances has helped them to develop a sense of identity amidst oppression from the colonial masters.

                Musical genres originating from the Caribbean region include the popular Reggae, Calypso, and Soca among others, each with their own historical background and specific to a particular Caribbean island. Music forms a part of popular culture and nightlife in urban life.