The covid19 pandemic has hit the music industry hard, but some artistes in TT are fighting back to ensure the legacy of local musicians continues for generations to come.

Since the pandemic started last year, WACK (We are culture crazy) launched fundraising campaigns with a series of virtual events.

From the comforts of their homes, listeners/viewers were treated to live, combined with pre-recorded entertainment from an array of artistes and different genres of music.

WACK, owned by Kenny Phillips, is a broadcasting and media production company based in San Fernando.

On August 26, at the company’s 198th show, titled Old School vs New School, listeners/viewers were treated to musical banter between seasoned local artistes and younger ones.

The "calypso show" was the brainchild of Ta’zyah O’Connor, 19, son of the 2012 Calypso Monarch, Duane O’Connor.

"Old School versus New School was not a competition. It showcased the talents of the new and upcoming artistes and ones from the older generation. We are keeping the art form alive and people loved the show," the form six student said.

"It was an opportunity for the younger singers to feed off and be inspired by the veterans. Calypso art form is in good hands."

O’Connor attends Upper Level Education Institute in Chaguanas and lives at Cocorite in St James.

He is also a lead vocalist in the music band STEEM.

"I was raised in the art form. I have been surrounded by it my entire life," O’Connor told Newsday.

Asked why he decided to have the show, he responded: "I can sing, have the ability to put on shows, so why I say not do it? I cannot have a talent and waste it. Once I have an idea, I can call Kenny and he always supports it. He promotes youths in art form a lot."

The versatile teen said he has a love of calypso flowing through his veins like his father.

O’Connor led the cast of the "new school" which included Naomi Sinnette, A'janae King Fraser, and seven-year-old Zachary Ransome, the youngest performer.

[caption id="attachment_915352" align="alignnone" width="683"] Zachary Ransome performs at the virtual concert, Old School vs New School. - Photo courtesy Ta’zyah O’Connor[/caption]

O’Connor performed the Latin hit Suavemente and Karene Asche's Uncle Jack. He also performed Not in Here, his father's song that saw him to the National Calypso finals.

He also hosted the show, which was live streamed on WACK’s digital platforms.

Calypsonian Alana Sinnette performed her song Stitches and the late Singing Sandra’s hit Voices From the Ghetto.

Sinnette’s niece, Naomi, sang Ancient Rhythms, also from Singing Sandra.

A'janae King Fraser, a National Junior Monarch finalist and secondary school student sang Tempted and Tried.

The song is about how she has been tempted to switch to soca, adding that her love for calypso would never die.

Zachary paid tribute to Bill "Trinidad Bill" Trotman’s putting his spin to the popular song Back to School.

"Old vs new was the finale of a series I had months before. People were saying we (performers)