Celebrating Calypso History Month with an intimate conversation on music, storytelling and the evolution of Trinidad and Tobago’s musical traditions
The Bocas Lit Fest continues its exploration of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich musical traditions with Kaiso Conversations: Freetown Collective, a special Bocas Lit Fest fundraiser presented in partnership with the Central Bank Auditorium on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Following the success of the inaugural Kaiso Conversations featuring David Rudder in January and 3Canal in May, the series returns with an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons of Freetown Collective, exploring their songwriting process, musical influences and the stories behind their work. The conversation will be hosted by the series creator and music critic Nigel Campbell.
The event forms part of Calypso History Month programming for both the Bocas Lit Fest and the Central Bank Auditorium, providing an opportunity to celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s musical heritage and highlight a shared commitment to preserving and engaging with the country’s indigenous musical artforms.
“Kaiso’s evolution gave us the heartbeat and joy of soca, the riddim and rhyme of rapso, and the conscious lyricism of spoken word. Freetown Collective incorporates all of that,” says Nigel Campbell.
“Songwriting is storytelling,” says Bocas’ Operations Director Georgia Popplewell. “Through Kaiso Conversations, we are creating space to look closely at the words, ideas, histories, and creative processes that shape the music that has become such an important part of our cultural identity.”
Popplewell also notes that the event is an important fundraiser for Bocas Lit Fest. “Our work extends far beyond the annual festival, with year-round programmes supporting writers, readers, young people and the wider literary community,” she says. “Bocas has traditionally provided most of its programming free of charge, but ticketed events have become critical if we are to sustain that work and continue creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage with the arts. We are grateful to our partners, artists and audiences who make this work possible, and we invite patrons to come out, enjoy an exceptional evening of music and conversation, and support Bocas’ work.”
Freetown Collective is a Trinidadian musical ensemble known for blending Caribbean rhythms with spoken word, folk, soca and contemporary pop. The group was founded in 2010 by spoken-word artists and lead singers/songwriters Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons, and takes its name from Belmont, Trinidad, an area historically known before Emancipation as Freetown.
The Collective’s philosophy centres on the idea that every individual has the potential to become their own “free town” – living authentically and without the need for external validation. Reflecting this ethos, the group refers to its audience not as fans, but as “residents” of Freetown. Today, the six-member ensemble comprises founders Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons, vocalists Shanna Joseph, Tishanna Williams and Malene Joseph, and DJ Jayron “Rawkus” Remy. Freetown Collective was recently named Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, recognising the group’s distinctive contribution to the region’s evolving musical landscape.
Kaiso Conversations brings Bocas Lit Fest’s literary lens to Trinidad and Tobago’s rich musical traditions, connecting music, language, identity and culture through the voices of the artists shaping them. As a Bocas fundraiser, proceeds will help sustain the organisation’s year-round work supporting writers, nurturing audiences and delivering transformative literary and cultural programmes.
Kaiso Conversations: Freetown Collective takes place on Tuesday 20 October at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Bank Auditorium. Admission is TT$200. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early as seating is limited. Tickets are available online at Island E-Tickets: islandetickets.com/event/kaisoconvosfreetown or at Paper Based Bookshop, 14 Alcazar Street, Port of Spain (Cash/Linx only).
