Queen Shaunelle ready for Sunday’s calypso battle

Reigning Calypso Monarch Shaunelle McKenzie says her preparations to defend her title come this Sunday, July 3, are going smoothly.

McKenzie, who hails from the Upstage Calypso tent, will be taking the stage at ‘PanKaiMas’ during a triple treat event combining Panorama, Sections of the bands and the Calypso Monarch.

The artiste was able to “wet her feet” on the “big stage” of Victoria Park during the semifinals on June 24, dubbed ‘Ting Nice Agen’. Before this carnival season it had been three years since the calypsonians last took up their mics due to the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The two years (cancellation of carnival) could not have been good for anyone so I think everybody is just really excited to be back on stage again, even if it was to just wet their foot a little bit and come stronger again next year. So I think people were pretty excited,” she disclosed.

The singer who snagged the crown in 2019 with her performances of, “Crown me Now” and, “What is Your Role?”, told SEARCHLIGHT that her preparations to defend the coveted title are going smoothly.

“We’re always meeting hiccups along the way but at the end of the day when the finals come,” she said, she prays “that the judges see it my way.”
Her themes for this Calypso season have been, “lessons learnt, treating people properly and living well with each other.”

Going up against McKenzie are the 11 finalists chosen from among 22 competitors who took the stage last Friday in the Calypso Semi-finals. Apart from Shaunelle, the contenders are: From the Upstage Calypso Tent- Fitzroy ‘Bro Ebony’ Joseph, Sheena Collis, and Gosnel ‘GC’ Cupid.

Representing the On Tour Calypso Tent are- Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey, Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance, and Alvin ‘Zion-I’ Dennie.

Calypsonians performing from the Graduates Calypso Tent are- Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis, Damian ‘Boney man’ Da Souza, Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, and Glenroy ‘Homey’ Delpesche.

In a plea to Vincentians, McKenzie said, “I just want to encourage everybody to come out to the finals, it will be a great show. I’m sure all the other calypsonians are going to come really hard on Sunday because you know, everybody always wants to win so I’m sure everybody’s gonna come tenfold on Sunday so I’m inviting everybody to come out.”