Kristian wins his first Secondary Schools Calypso crown

Though he is no stranger to the Junior Calypso competition young calypsonian, Kristian Christopher achieved a first this week when he won his first crown competing in the Secondary Schools category.

However, it is his sixth consecutive crown in the seven years he has been competing in the Junior Calypso/Soca competition — five of which were won as a student of the Layou Government School.

The third form St Vincent Grammar School student told SEARCHLIGHT it felt “great, as usual” to be able to compete and win again, after not being able to participate in the competition in the two year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Christopher was the first of eight competitors to perform at Tuesday’s event, which was marred by inclement weather.

“I feel excellent and everything,” he said, minutes after being crowned winner in the secondary schools competition where he sang “Cherish Life”.

His song was written by his father, Wollis Christopher and is a message to youths on the necessity to cherish life and denounce violence in their lives.

The young calypsonian, who is a member of the Upstage Calypso Tent was among 22 calypsonians in the Calypso Semifinals competition on June 24, who were vying for one of the 11 places to contest the National Calypso Monarch competition.

He performed the same song at the calypso semi-finals but was unable to make the grade for a spot in the finals.

Christopher told SEARCHLIGHT he has all intentions of continuing with calypso because “I love to sing, and especially the type of music that helps to send messages out”.

And to young and aspiring calypsonians, he is urging them to “continue to strive because they are the future of calypso”.

Omani Cupid, a student of the Emmanuel High School, Mesopotamia placed second in this year’s competition with his rendition of “No Chatoyer”.

Cupid, like Christopher is also a member of the Upstage Calypso Tent and competed in the calypso semifinals last Friday, June 24.

He is a reserve for this Sunday’s National Calypso Monarch competition.

The third place in the 2022 Junior Calypso secondary schools competition was taken by Shenea Stephens, a student from the Girls’ High School.

Other young calypsonians in this year’s competition were Calique Lewis of the St Martin’s Secondary School; D’Shanti Francis of the JP Eustace Secondary School; and Phylicia McCoy, Melissa Baptiste and Bradleyah Sutherland, all of whom represented the Sandy Bay Secondary School.