Harmonising religion and passion: Faith Corrica’s love for calypso as a gospel artiste

…sees opportunity to bridge 2 worlds, create meaningful connections

Faith Corrica, also known as ‘Lil Canary’, is a gospel artiste who is passionate and dedicated to keeping the calypso scene alive and setting new records. She has captured the hearts of audiences with her calypso vibes since she was 10 years old. As she gears up to participate in the 2024 Calypso Monarch competition, Corrica shared her genuine love for calypso and the profound connection between her faith and musical pursuits.
Corrica has triumphed in the competition twice before, in 2021 and 2022, winning the senior competition in her first year and capturing the title once again in 2022. At just 23 years old, Corrica’s journey in calypso has been remarkable. With each victory, she has proven her prowess as a vocalist and storyteller, captivating listeners with her melodic expressions and heartfelt lyrics.
Despite her undeniable success in the calypso arena, Corrica is committed to promoting gospel music and inspiring other young gospel artistes. She intends to ride the wave of a genre that resonates deeply with her spiritual beliefs and values.

Faith’s mother, who is a pastor, plays a role in her calypso song writing, so the lyrics are always clean and respectful, yet captivating.
Corrica believes that music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and unites people from all walks of life. Calypso has always held a special place in her heart, since she grew up listening to her grandfather, Malcolm ‘Lord Canary’ Corrica Snr, who was one of Guyana’s legendary calypsonians. One of her goals is to beat his record as a six-time champ.
Faith Corrica was born on February 16, 2000, and found her love for music at the tender age of three in her church within the village where she grew up. As she gracefully navigates the vicissitudes of life, Corrica proudly carries the torch of her grandfather.
She is the eldest of three siblings, and is her mother’s only daughter. Her mother is Natasha Taylor, and her father is Malcolm Corrica Jnr. She grew up in a strict household, and this, she adds, “keeps me grounded in all I do, especially in this music industry. In my heart, music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and unites people from all walks of life.”
Faith Corrica expressed that calypso allows her to show her love for music while staying true to her faith. The decision to embrace calypso as a gospel artiste reflects her belief in the power of music to inspire, uplift, and convey messages of hope. Through her participation in the calypso song competition, she aims to infuse her performances with themes of faith and resilience.

Bridging two worlds
She said that while some persons may not agree with her tactics between calypso and gospel music, she sees an opportunity to bridge the two worlds and create meaningful connections. For her, calypso is not just a genre, but a platform to spread love and positivity. Her goal is to share messages of faith and joy through every note and lyric, regardless of the musical backdrop.
As she prepares to grace the stage once more, she acknowledges the challenges and rewards of pursuing her passion for calypso as a gospel artiste. The competition offers her a chance to reach new audiences and amplify the universal themes embedded in gospel music. While staying true to her calling, Faith remains resolute in her mission to touch souls and kindle a spirit of unity through her performances.
Faith has already released several successful singles, such as “Abide”, “Tomorrow”, “I Am Anointed”, and “Better Daze”, and has indicated that an album is in the works. Her
unwavering devotion to both gospel and calypso music exemplifies her boundless love for music and her steadfast faith. She shared that, more than anyone else, her mother has been her biggest support system in good and bad times. She added that while members of her church may have lost faith in her, all that they have said and done have not gone unnoticed, and she intends to remain true to her gospel roots as an artiste. Despite the criticisms and challenges she has faced, her upcoming participation in the calypso song competition serves as a testament to her resilience and artistic integrity, illuminating the harmonious intersection of her deep-rooted beliefs and musical fervour.
As Faith Corrica continues to navigate her musical voyage, her enduring love for calypso and unwavering faith would undoubtedly resonate, offering melodies of hope and inspiration to all who listen. In her uplifting journey, she proves that music knows no boundaries and “FAITH” knows no limits.
“For me, calypso is not just a genre; it’s a platform to spread love and positivity,” she emphasizes. “My goal is to share messages of faith and joy through every note and lyric, regardless of the musical backdrop.”
In the symphony of her aspirations, Faith Corrica stands as a testament to the beautiful convergence of music and faith, gracefully harmonizing the realms of calypso and gospel with every heartfelt note she sings.