The popular rise of Calypso music in the UK has its beginning in the late 1940’s. It continues to exist in contemporary Britain through the efforts of the Association of Calypsonians and Soca Artistes (ACASA), the organization that emerged from the pioneering work of the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC) and Association of Calypsonians UK (ACUK) which has kept the art alive for over 28 years since the formation in 1992.
The pioneers who were instrumental in promoting Calypso music in Britain were Lord Kitchener, Roaring Lion and the Mighty Tiger. “Tiger”, Ashton Moore (d) was a dedicated and committed Calypsonian who lead his UK based contemporaries in a campaign that established the formidable London Calypso Tent, the longest surviving outlet that has positioned Calypso music at the cutting edge of contemporary Black British culture. The “Tent” is a distinct ACASA brand that encompasses live music and performances by Calypsonians and Groovy Soca artistes usually before the start of the Notting Hill Carnival season.
The success of the Association in gaining Arts Council for England recognition and client status has further contributed to raising the profile of the music. Additional assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago government and a founding partner of Carnival Village Trust (London) has allowed ACASA to pass on this musical tradition, the first music of the Caribbean, to a new generation of British youth and the emergence of the aligned Groovy Soca art form. Read more about us here.