New calypso tent to spotlight young talent this Crop Over

A new youth-focused calypso tent is set to take the stage this Crop Over season, with organisers aiming to nurture emerging talent and strengthen the future of Barbadian music and cultural expression.

Rhythms of Legacy, led by managing director Randy Eastmond, was officially launched on Thursday, positioning itself as both a performance platform and a developmental space for young artistes.

Managing director of Rhythms of Legacy tent, Randy Eastmond

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Eastmond explained that the initiative will operate as a traditional calypso tent while also preparing participants for national competitions.

“This is a show coming for Crop Over, and we are functioning as a calypso tent. We will be having some of our participants involved in the National Cultural Foundation’s competitions – Pic O De Crop and the Junior Monarch competition…and I’m sure that given that they’re young people, they will be interested in the freshly announced Party Monarch competition,” he said.  

Beyond competition, Eastmond emphasised that the core mission of Rhythms of Legacy is artist development. He described the initiative as “a developmental incubator” designed to give young performers a dedicated space to grow creatively.

He revealed that the tent’s theme is Honouring our Musical Roots with Today’s Vocal Fruits.”

“We have a plethora of young people who we’ve worked with over the years, and I thought it necessary to create this platform for them during the crop over season so that young people can have a stage for them to shine on… for them to have their own space.

“[It’s] for them to have a sanctuary, someplace where they can hone their skills and develop. So development is at the core and the foundation of this initiative,” Eastmond said.

The tent will feature approximately 17 performers ranging in age from 13 to 35, including newcomers to the calypso art form as well as more experienced acts. Eastmond noted that workshops are a key component of the programme, particularly for first-time performers. He also added that reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, Mr Showman will appear as a guest performer.

Rhythms of Legacy will host two tent nights ahead of a judging event later in the season. The first night is on June 4 at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre at 8 p.m, while the second night is slated for June 18, with judging night on July 19 at the UWI Big Tent with the National Cultural Foundation.

While competitive success remains part of the journey, Eastmond stressed that the initiative’s deeper focus is on impact and message.

“I think that our focus would [be] instead of thinking about position… it would rather be the offering and the legacy that they have left with their particular song [and] the messages that they put across,” he said.

“Each of them is working hard on writing…things that they see happening in society. As a social commentator that’s their job.”

(SB)