Music

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' music scene includes thriving music scenes based on Big Drum, calypso, soca, steelpan, and reggae. Popular genres include string band music, quadrille, bélé music, and traditional storytelling.

Soca is a type of dance music that evolved from calypso music in Trinidad and Tobago. It originally combined the melodic, lilting sound of calypso with insistent percussion (often electronic in contemporary music) and local chutney music. Big drum music is popular throughout the Windward Islands, particularly in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Drums were traditionally made from tree trunks, but are now more commonly made from rum kegs. The socially conscious or satirical lyrics are usually performed by a female singer known as a chantwell, who is accompanied by dancers dressed in colorful skirts and headdresses. Big Drum is frequently heard at weddings and other celebrations, particularly boat launches.

Calypso emerged in the 18th century as a fusion of African and French music styles, with satirical and sociopolitical lyrics. It eventually coincided with the rise of steelpan music. Steelpan were quickly imported to Saint Vincent. Political lyrics in calypso have remained an important part of the genre. In 1984, a Vincentian musician named Becket released a song called "Horne fuh dem," which helped the ruling party lose the election that year.