From Laventille to Skinner Park: Chuck Gordon on Culture & Community |EP 37| Blueprint Podcast

*He was raised in Laventille, surrounded by calypso royalty. By 18, he was in both the Calypso Monarch and Soca Monarch finals. In 2026, he became the center of a national conversation about judging, gatekeeping, and the future of the art form.*Chuck Gordon is not your typical calypsonian. He holds a degree in social work, has worked in the children's court, and views his music as advocacy. His concept of "Jiggy Calypso" rejects the artificial separation between soca and calypso, harkening back to an era when artists like Sparrow, Duke, Shadow, and Stalin sang both social commentary and party music.In this episode of The Blueprint Podcast, Chuck sits down with Dr. Jelani Reid for a conversation about identity, culture, and the soul of Trinidad and Tobago.He opens up about growing up in Laventille—a place he calls "a portal" of creative energy—and the family of cultural pioneers who shaped him. He explains the history of calypso tents, the road to Skinner Park, and why the judging system has come under fire.He doesn't hold back: the 2026 elimination that shocked audiences, the inconsistent scores, and why he went public. "I didn't anticipate it blowing up. But the society needs calypso again."Along the way, he shares his vision for the art form: calypsonians creating their own products and brands, entertaining while still commenting, and reclaiming the tradition of the full circle artist.This is a conversation for anyone who loves calypso, cares about culture, or wonders where Trinidad and Tobago is headed next.*Listen now.*