YMMV / Harry Belafonte

• Mexicans Love Speedy Gonzales: Harry is often criticized for playing an easy listening form of calypso designed for white audiences. However, many Caribbeans have to admit that his '50s popularity sparked an unprecedented level of creativity amongst 'genuine' calypso musicians from Trinidad and elsewhere. Many of these got their songs recorded and released on labels thanks to the music being in public demand at the time, with everyone wanting to capitalize on Belafonte's popularity and the genuine musicians finally getting their big break. It was thanks to Belafonte that the RCA Trinidad label formed, with superior production quality and better distribution. Lord Melody, in particular, realized by the '60s that if he wrote songs for Belafonte he'd make more money than if he recorded them himself.