Rapsofest returns May 1-17

The 20th edition of RapsoFest runs this year May 1-17, and continues its mission to promote the oral tradition and folk culture through performances, lectures, seminars and workshops across both Trinidad and Tobago.

Rapso, often defined as "the power of the word in the rhythm of the word", is one of Trinidad & Tobago's most vibrant and socially conscious musical genres, fusing elements of "robber talk" (the distinctive speech of the traditional Carnival character called the Midnight Robber), the rapping that is a feature of several African-derived musical forms in the western hemisphere, with grooving base lines and infectious melodic hooks.

Some of its most popular contemporary proponents include Brother Resistance and 3canal, back by a new generation of promising artists like Ataklan, Word, Sound & Power and Massacre to name but a few.

As in previous years, this edition of RapsoFest will emphasise training, with an aim to develop the spoken word and rapso artists' skill as storytellers, wordsmiths and compelling performers. These training sessions will take place over a six-week period, in collaboration with NALIS. They began last week, and continue every Tuesday and Thursday (5-7pm) and Saturday (3-6pm) at the NALIS headquarters on Abercromy Street in Port of Spain.