This year’s two-weekend long Coachella Festival featured a lineup of superstars and headliners representing popular musical genres including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and more. However, after personally attending Coachella, I can proudly state that one woman has reminded me to respect my elders: Calypso Rose. At 78 years old, the calypso artist made history as the oldest musician to ever perform at Coachella, as well as the first calypsonian to deliver a full set.
As a person with Jamaican ancestry, I always get excited whenever I attend a festival or concert that shines light on West Indian culture and rhythms. When I came across Calypso Rose’s set time while skimming through the lineup schedule on the Coachella app, I knew that I couldn’t miss it.
When the famous island artist came out on Coachella’s Gobi Stage for her 50-minute set, many festival-goers, including myself, were introduced to her hits for the very first time. During her performance, she danced and grooved with the energy of someone half her age, while smiling with limitless joy as she sang with strength under the noticeably blue skies. A vivacious band and energetic dancers backed Calypso Rose, as she wowed the crowd with slow-motion hip movements. Special guest Major Lazer came out during her performance, and the island vibe was in full effect.
The legendary artist from the island of Tobago might be a fresh face on the Coachella stage, but she quickly showed that she isn’t new to this, she’s true to this. Born April 27, 1940, Calypso Rose — whose government name is Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis — has been regarded as a pioneer in calypso music for many years.
Much of Rose’s musical success has been driven by her desire to advocate for gender equality and blaze a path for women in music. She began writing songs at the tender age of 15 years old: In 1955, Rose wrote her first calypso song, “Glass Thief” after seeing a man steal glasses from a woman in a market. Since then, she has amassed a discography of more than 800 songs and 20 albums in total, with many of her songs speaking to women's empowerment and feminism.
With such a strong track record, she's no stranger to making history. Over the past 50 years, she has achieved various feats, including:
1963: Calypso Rose traveled to Grenada and St. Thomas to perform for the first time outside of her native Trinidad and Tobago. There, she became the first woman to ever win St. Thomas’ Calypso King Contest, after performing her first recorded song “Cooperation.”
1967: Rose performed with Jamaican legends Bob Marley and the Wailers, at the Grand Ballroom in New York City.
1977: Rose became the first woman to win Trinidad’s prestigious Road March competition, with her song "Gimme More Tempo.”
1986: Rose was recognized for her efforts to improve the lives of West African people, as she was given the title of Ambassador-at-Large of Liberia.
1991: Rose received the award for “Most Outstanding Woman" by the National Women's Action Committee (NWAC) for Trinidad and Tobago.
1999: Rose received the International Award of Caribbean Music, which according to her website is "the consecration for an artist to Calypso."
Fast-forwarding to present day, the soon-to-be 79-year-old icon released a new single titled “Young Boy,” featuring fellow Trini soca star Machel Montano on April 10. The vibrant track showcases Calypso Rose, candidly reminding other women that their spirit is the real fountain of youth and that they shouldn’t hesitate to look for attention and love from a so-called "young boy." The buzz from the track carried well into her Coachella appearance, and it is sure to push Calypso Rose to new heights of success.
A musical maven and calypso queen, the longtime women’s advocate will likely continue to cement her place in history, with the same fire that has fueled her 60+ years performing. Overall, I remain in awe of her performance, as it was living evidence that age truly ain't nothing but a number.
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