Lancelot Layne

Lancelot Layne (died July 28, 1990) was a rapso artist from Trinidad and Tobago. He was born to a Ms. Ethel Strawn (nee Serrano) and raised in Gonzales, Trinidad, a village near Port of Spain. He had a start in many local singing shows and showcase forums in and about Trinidad. During his career, he travelled around the world giving lectures and shows at many music institutions and universities, and was one of the first artists to bring the music of Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the world.

Layne took many trips to Africa, after studying African history. A 1998 United Nations Radio programme described the links between calypso and high life music, focusing on an exchange of visits between Layne and high life musician Koo Nimo of Ghana. In later years, Layne joined the Orisa faith. He had twin daughters, who were accomplished pannists.

He is often described as being the founder of rapso; his 1970 song "Blow Away" was the first rapso recording, although the term was not coined until 1980. Many of his most remembered songs were not recorded, including the song "Strike Squad", which he composed for his local football team. "Get Off The Radio" was a protest song about the imbalance of radio airplay between local and foreign works.

Discography

*1971 "Afro'dadian/Blow'way Antillana"
*1972 "Carnival Calypso Hits" (LP)
*1975 "Endless Vibrations/Soul Train"
*1975 "Dat is Horrors/Kaiso For Mout"
*1975 "Who Could Help Me/Make Life Easy On Me
*1976 "Yo Tink It Sorf/Chant"
*1976 "Doh Dig No Blues"
*1977 "These Boots Are Made For Walking/If I Were You"
*1980 "Dis Pan Is For You" (LP)
*1982 "Get Off The Radio"
*1984 "Neo Calypso" (LP)

External links

* [http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/bio-LANCELOT-LAYNE-lateEntertainer.htm Lancelot Layne biography] by his daughter, Niasha Layne.
* [http://www.calypsoarchives.co.uk/maindirectory/Lancelot%20Layne.html Lancelot Layne discography] from the Calypso Archives.
* [http://caribplanet.homestead.com/101_Rapso.html Origin of Rapso]
* [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/1999/19990701.PI1155.html UN Radio Programme Wins Award in 1999 New York Festivals] from the United Nations website.
* [http://www.nalis.gov.tt/carnival/History_CarnivalStory_Part6.htm The Carnival Story - Calypso Revolution]