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Kaiso

Pronounced /KAI-so/nounMusic

Meaning

Another name for calypso, the older Carnival song form that soca grew out of. You will hear it used by fans of the traditional style.

Soca for the road, but give me real kaiso in the tent.

In plain English: Soca is for the street parade, but I want proper calypso at the show.

Used in

Sources

  1. Traditional Mas Archive: Carnival terms
  2. KAXE / NPR: Long live soca, celebrating 50 years of Trinidad's soundtrack to Carnival

Last verified 3 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Send a correction.