When it comes national musical treasures in Suriname, nobody would disagree that Julius Theodoor Hugo Uiterloo is one of them, if not the biggest one. Some of my country mates will frown when confronted with that name though, especially the younger ones, as he is more popularly and lovingly known by his artiste name "Lieve Hugo".
From English to Dutch that would be something like "Nice Hugo".
The Kaseko music genre is one unique to Suriname and is a combination of various popular and folk styles derived from Africa, Europe and the Americas. It's a rhythmically complex genre, consisting of a variety of drums in many sizes, large, small and in-between.
We'll start of with this song. It's mostly in a local tongue called "Sranan Tongo" which is a language almost everyone speak and even the foreigners pick up this secondary language faster than the official Dutch language. "Poenta" refers to a certain part of a woman's body and throughout the song Lieve Hugo is insinuating that it wants to "kill him".
Next we have Okrosoepoe. Okrosoepoe translates to "Okra Soup". In this song in the same Sranang Tongo language he is literally singing about different kinds of soup, Okra soup being among them, and how boys like those soups. But as you may or may not have noticed a common theme in this genre, or at least in the style of Lieve Hugo, is that the song is filled with double entendre and sexual innuendo. It's not blatant or distasteful and the innocent listener will get nothing out of it, while those who have a more creative mind may have a giggle or two.
And last but not least one of favorites "Dorina". He sings about some girl names Dorina and that she doesn't have to be sad and or afraid. And while I may have missed some king of hidden meaning in the song, with this it's not about the words for me, but instead the harmonious melody and the combination of instruments coming together clearly. You can literally hear the influences. Sitting in the interior of Suriname beside a creek of flowing black water, or better yet in the creek, with a cold beer or rum and coke in the hand is the ultimate form of relaxation.
Having popularized this music genre and his music in the 70's Lieve Hugo stills lives on in the hearts of many a Surinamer and is and will be a staple in many dance heavy parties for years to come.