Calypso bards battle for places in the semis (Include Videos)

by Dexter Rose

As the five calypso tents spread from Kingstown to Georgetown and reaching into Brooklyn, battle for coveted places in the national semi-finals, the contest this year is fierce. Moreover, there is no scarcity this year of calypsos taking hits at the decisions of the much-criticized judges, as is the case every year.

The first tent to face the panel of judges was the Dynamites in Brooklyn, which began so late, reportedly to accommodate the work schedule of the competitors, that many fans at home in SVG may have missed the live broadcast, and therefore the opportunity to assess, and compare the offering from the diasporic bards with their home-based competitors.

Performances that stood out include Carlos “Rejector” Providence’s ode to the steelpan and Dennis Bowman in a tent, which ended with Errol “De Man Age” Rose explaining why, he is compelled to lend his voice to what he perceives as the pleas of the people. 

It is worth noting that there is a preponderance of patriotic and philosophical compositions, as opposed to raw partisan political commentaries.  Zion I perhaps said it best when he announced a change of focus, stating that calypso is for calypsonians and politics for politicians, who all have their pensions waiting while he has nothing to get. He is therefore chanting because “Is the crown he wants”.  He faces the judges as we go to print with the On Tour tent.

The Graduates faced the panel of judges Tuesday night with a mixed bag of veterans and youth. Standout performances came from Johnny Rebel, Black Messenger, JesseKaya, Tajoe and the indefatigable Lexi lamenting that “Soldiers afraid to fight”. From the younger generation, Chewalee shone with “Motivation,” while Elvis “Bad Creation” Seales had the audience in stitches, dressed as a West Indies cricketer and defying anyone to bowl him with his “Bowl and Caught”. Sulle was stoically warning “Doh help…,”  after he has lost his donkey and was preferring to catch his ass all by himself.  It’s great when humour comes back to the tent.

Wednesday night was the Upstage Experience’s to shine and they did. This relatively new tent has become a force to be reckoned with and made a bold showing with a cast they can feel most proud of. Of note is their line-up of females, from the young Singing Kristy Christopher, with her “From Federation to Fragmentation,” to Lil Bit King with “World Peace,” Shaunelle McKenzie to youngsters Driah Matthias, Gillian “Fiesha” Smart and Shena Collins and Cleopatra Hendrickson.  But if one thinks the mentioned female line-up with their smooth velvety vocals demand noticing, Upstage brings on stage, almost to the end, Joanna Christopher with “Where all my good friends gone” and Fya Empress with her controversial “Guilty as Charged.” These two leaders received the strongest reception from the audience and must have made the judges notice them, as they must have the other ladies before them.

Other standouts from this tent include notably, Gosnel “GC” Cupid, clad in battle fatigues and demanding a “Revolution in Culture” and Skarpyan with his “Mama’s lost son.” Veterans Defoe, Ron B and Bro Ebony all performed creditably to command attention.  Sadly, Lord Have Mercy fell on his sword in his effort to get his message across after his striking appearance.  He curtailed his performance after missing lines.

On Tour, with a strong cast, including Ipa, Patches and Scakes with his powerful “Accountability,” faces the judges as we go to press, while the Prophets of Georgetown are scheduled for Friday night.  Those who lament the death of calypso can be assured that the art form is alive and well, but just demanding more institutional attention.