Universal language swings into tune
International musicians Fefe (red cap) and Calypso Rose
TRINIDAD and Tobago's 70-year-old superstar Calypso Rose and French-born Nigerian hip-hop artist Fefe couldn't help breaking into song when they met at their city hotel yesterday.
They will join more than 500 artists from 30 countries appearing at the world music, arts and dance event in Botanic Park from tonight until Monday.
"I feel like dancing," Calypso Rose declared, peppering her song with bird calls.
"It's my first time Down Under, but I've heard so much about it growing up in the Caribbean.
"The first thing I asked was: Can I go and see some kangaroos?" she said.
Calypso Rose was born McArtha Lewis, named after World War II hero General Douglas MacArthur, but changed it to reflect the style of music of which she is the undisputed queen.
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"Calypso to me is life, it's joy, it's happiness, it's grandeur, smiles, movement," she laughed.
The calypso beat originally came from West Africa, where Rose's great-grandmother lived in Guinea.
"When I am on stage, I cannot stay still at all. The energy people give me, I give it back to them," she said.
"Music is a universal language - you don't have to understand the lyrics, but the movement and beat of the music transcend your soul and get you moving."
At 35, rapper Fefe is half Rose's age and says the search to find his own musical voice is an ongoing adventure.
"I think I will still be searching all my life," Fefe said.
'I love experimenting. Every time I've found something new, I realise how much I don't know."
A former member of hip-hop group Saian Supa Crew, Fefe topped French charts with his latest solo album.
"When the group split up, I didn't want to continue doing just rap," Fefe said. "I've always been producing, sampling jazz, sampling soul, sampling African music."
Fefe said festivals like Womadelaide offered a smorgasbord of sounds.
"It's a way of hearing new things, understanding new rhythms - it's almost an education. I hope people will take from me too, that will be my greatest joy."
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