Back then to the very present, Trinidad has seen some changes. The most influential change has been music, ranging from Soca to Chutney. An unfortunate change has also been the division between Indians and Blacks has seemed to spread apart a little further. Or has the division gotten smaller? And how was this possible, and through what medium?

Politics seemed the biggest threat to each side's pride and power, it is the country's most controversial topic, separating the two races, because they were the only two on the island. In the late 70's, when friction seemed to be at its climax because of independence, music was given a extra boost because of its powerful messages.

Music's Influence on Society
Music is the language everyone speaks on the island, and it is the driving force, behind breaking down race barriers. Calypso, has had somewhat an effect of an impact, but Soca and Chutney are very promising, in uniting the two people in harmony.

Plenty of black stars and indian stars have come together here in Brooklyn and Trinidad to work on songs, which will be very memorably down the road. Sometimes, the other race, will even sound better impersonating the other's music; Which has plenty of people smiling because it shows tension is finally easing.

Why the problem might seem worse in America is because everyone here is oppressed by the powerful, and that immigrants not only flock to areas where people of their country flourish, but also they have a choice of race too. For example, take Richmond Hill in Queens, it seems now that the area is known as "Little Guyana" thanks to the influx of Guyanese Indians and some blacks.

It only amazes me, that everywhere I go, I always run into a fellow Trinidadian, and it makes me smile, yet frown when childish adults screw up things for us. I have hope for this generation, people say we are a lost cause, but just because we won't make it financially wise, we rather be a happy people together. It is a pressing issue, but at the beginning I blew it out of proportions, but realize everything will be all right. One step at a time, I will analyze every problem, think about the best solution, and act on it promptly.

Down the road, I hope to see myself in the entertainment industry, and I will be there waiting there holding an olive branch to those who want to hold it with me, because hopefully I'll be able to reach out to more people than I ever hope. In this report, I will seek out songs that has evidence of cultural diffusion, and will show that the tension once there, is getting smaller by day. Thanks to such artists as Sparrow, Sundar Popo, Machel Montano, Drupatee, General Grant, and Sonniman.

Calypso
Calypso dates back to the early 1900's, and most of it was of African influence. Having its roots in Trinidad , it comes from "Kaiso", a somewhat older version of the music. Mostly drum beats and hypnotizing rhythms were the main parts of the songs. Calypso had a message in it, it always had, it was a tool for the people of Trinidad to overcome British rule. The music usually made fun of the government, and political problems Trinidad saw in its days. Singers such as Sparrow and Mighty Destroyer put the government's actions into lyrics and sung them late into the night.

If you listened to it, it told of a story, yes it was merry to dance to, but ask any Trinidadian ,he'll tell you where he was when the song came out. During the 40's and 50's, when the U.S. government went into Trinidad, Calypso got a surge in listeners because they made fools of American troops, but the soldiers liked the music. Now that Trinidad had settled some, the problem that calypso encountered was racism, and some singers tried to mend the problem. But there was one or two who screwed things up, such as Sugar Alloes, a man who made fun of the Indian government at the time, and even pointed out Sparrow didn't belong there.

Soca
But Sugar Alloes is a perfect example of what not to listen to, and people knew this. Soca, now has its roots in Calypso, but the only difference is it has much more of an indian influence. The instruments and beats that are used which can be traced back to India. Indian singers and black singer usually get together to make a song, which usually is a bit above the rest. The African voice, and Indian drum beats can make a nice song as we'll see later.

There is a c.d. out, by the name of Soca Gold, it comes out every year, which started in 1997, because the popularity has soared, and it usually contains songs done by duos, indians and blacks, or songs done by blacks with indian influence all the way and it is a very catchy song. In 97, a soca song came out, which was the song of Carnival in Brooklyn, called Chutney Bacchanal, sung by Chris Garcia, an Indian of mixed ancestry.

Chutney
Last but least, there is an emerging star after all these years called Chutney or also known as Indian Soca. Known to locals as local music, its popularity grew quickly in the 70's thanks to pioneers as the late Sundar Popo, and Cecil Fonrose who worked with each other frequently. Chutney music has its roots in India's film industry, and indians in Trinidad take these songs and redo them to their liking. How it became known as Indian Soca was because it was played at Carnival too, giving birth to a new chapter in Trinidad's music.

The latest term to be more accurate in describing fast indian music would be Chutney Soca, which has samples of reggae, hip hop, calypso and soca. Black people have also used Chutney in there songs, and Indians are found now to be singing Calypso, on stages where crowds are very diverse. Yes they might be critics, criticizing Carnival to the media, saying there isn't enough emphasis on one's group, but that's how it has been and how it will be. It is dance music, if it sounds nice, everyone will dance to it, we the young people realized that, I don't care if I don't understand the words, if the beat got me, I will dance into the morning. In Trinidad, yes people go to their separate events, but that's a way of still maintaining your roots while going to other cultural events is just adding more to it.

"Real Unity": Music and Race Relations 
There have been plenty of compilations and songs which shows Trinidad is on the right path. The latest soca song done is by Machel Montano, the hottest star of TnT, has a song called "Real Unity" featuring Drupatee, and shes is singing a rendition of Aap Ki Kosi Hay, meaning that nobody is better than me in this world. Machel Montano is a very smart man, I smiled and laughed when I heard the song, and my parents eyes opened up thinking Hot 97 was the last place they would hear Indian music. Machel also did songs with Ramragee Praboo on his first album, a song with indian beats and rythms, on his second album he hit a bump on the road by coming out of a song called Hare Krishna, which indians said it was disrespectful and wanted to ban it. Here are the lyrics of that song:

Analysis
Those are the lyrics of the song which I find the song to be not offensive, and Machel will have my full support at all times. There are more songs available, and artist who have rendered them, such as Cecil Fonrose, who is a great Chutney soca singer, and it may be embarrassing, but he will know more Hindi than I will ever know. He has a song called Khirk Na Din, a very popular song with the indians, who dance up a storm to it. A group called Double D, has put reggae into Chutney, giving it a new name, called Ragga Chutney, which has traces of African and Indian elements. Back in the 80's, songs beneficial to Trinidad such as Nani Wine by Crazy , had nothing but Indian vernacular, but was a big hit and will always be. Byron Lee did Tiny Winey, a remake of Tiny Winy originally done by Babla and Kanchan, India's leading duo.

The younger generation is coming in full effect, we do not have any limit to our music. Machel is clearly leading the way to unity, so is Talpree, a Calypsonian from Grenada, and a new group of Indians of Trinidad who have recently done songs with groups from Barbados in an effect to create even more unity. Soca, which is about fun, dance and sex, has the other races looking at each other (sexually) while back then that would have been forbidden and unheard of. But we as a people, will learn slowly what's wrong and right, it is showing already, go to any park, and you'll be sure to hear soca, chutney or calypso palying loud with the Trinidad flag proudly waving.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the battle will be won. The people of Trinidad have come to realization that unity is a good thing. There will always be defects on each side, but they will lose. Good will always triumph over evil, as they say. The point I tried to make with this paper is there is hope with the younger generation, and forgiveness also. The music is our best hope in making things better, here and all around the world, one love. Our roots are something we will always be proud of, now it is time we start learning to enhance them.

Acknowledgement

Professor, You've opened up my eyes, I can't really thank you enough, what I thought was gold is really shit. You make me smile, for that it is good to see fellow Indians making a name for themselves. Not that they don't exist, but they are scarce. I found the class entertaining, and I've made very good friends who I can converse with about anything. I now see a struggle, which will be never ending if us the young people never do anything about it. I plan to tackle this struggle in many ways, one with my clothing line, Solo. Im planning a big celebration for Carnival 2001 and you're welcome to join. And dont worry, I'll make you famous too....(Laugh) I'll be back in September, so please keep in touch. Thank you