Man Hans ‘Blaze It’ to Junior Soca crown

From the moment Hance John took to the stage last Tuesday evening, it was clear that any serious contender for the Junior Soca Monarch title would have to deliver a stellar performance to wrest the crown from him.{{more}}

John, a student of the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, who sang under the sobriquet ‘Man Hans’, was the first artiste to kick off the event with the tune ‘Blaze It’. This track threw the large student following at the Victoria Park into a frenzy as they screamed and danced to the line “We don’t want no water -Blaze it”.

By the end of Phillip ‘Wetty B’ Dember’s rendition (Steel Pan Anthems), the evening’s last performer, it was clear that John, who had previously won the competition in 2003 and placed third in 2004, had romped home with the crown for a third consecutive year.

Jovica ‘Princess J’ Veira with her rendition of ‘Jam It Back’ and Daniesha Simmons with the song ‘Soca Body’ had to settle for second and third place, respectively. Dember represented Union Island Secondary School, Veira (Greggs Government), and Simmons (Bishops College).

The other students who vied for this year’s title were: Faylicia ‘Singing Fay Fay’ John of the Bishop’s College with the hit ‘Gimme Way’; Ayesha Matthews of the Campden Park Secondary with the song ‘Jump’; Oran ‘Singing Orie’ Shepherd of the Campden Park Secondary with ‘Fantasy Girl’; and Kurtney ‘Soca Man’ Pompey of the Sandy Bay Secondary who sang ‘They want to ban it’.

John, the son of Cynthia and Westfield John of Evesham, told SEARCHLIGHT, which was one of his sponsors, that he wants to excel all the way to the international stage. He said he sees this as a great opportunity to help promote the culture of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and to get other young Vincentians involved in the art form. He also intends to follow the footsteps of his seasoned nephew Skarpyon and cousin Icon, as well as his brother, gospel artiste Fenton Harry. Hance also received sponsorship from CK Greaves Company Ltd, The Trend, Computec and Courts St. Vincent Ltd.

The Primary and Secondary School Calypso Competitions also added to a fun-filled afternoon at the Victoria Park.

Terancia Cornwall also known as ‘Little TC’ of the Park Hill Government School had a taste of royalty when she won the primary school title with her rendition of ‘Is this retribution?’ Second position went to Cassie Anne ‘Princess Cassie’ Laidlow of the St.Mary’s RC School who sang ‘Things that does get me vex’, while Nidia ‘Lady Nidia’ Jack of the Greggs Government School had to settle for third place with the song ‘The drug culture’.

Meanwhile, Casia ‘Singing Cassie’ Lavia of the Sandy Bay Secondary claimed the Secondary Calypso title with the song ‘My voice must be heard’. Tears streamed down her face as she was crowned the new champion. In second position was Daniesha Simmons of the Bishops’ College with ‘Don’t blame de world’. Third place went to Phylicia ‘Nubian Empress’ Alexander of the Dr.J.P. Eustace School who made an attempt at the crown with ‘A friendly request’. (HN)