Twenty-two named for Calypso semis-finals Fantastic Friday

SIX FEMALES ARE among the 22 calypsonians named following the preliminaries to go on to the calypso semi- finals on Fantastic Friday, June 26, 2026, at Independence Park, Kingstown. Show time is 8:00 p.m.

Among the females, there is a virtual newcomer to the calypso scene in Chanique, from the Dynamites tent with ‘Lift me up’, while two others- Shaunelle McKenzie, who sang ‘At we doorstep’, and Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd, singing ‘De Search’, already have a taste of royalty.

There is also Shena Collis, with her ‘New chef in the Kitchen now’, Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ King singing ‘Liberation year’, and Marvo ‘Marvolous Marvo’ Morgan, with her ‘keep on trying’, being no strangers to the Fantastic Friday stage.

The Upstage Xperience with eight selections led the semi-final picks with Shaunelle, Fya Empress, Lil Bit, and Shena, along with Bernard ‘Reality’White ‘With Ban’ and Michael ‘Mercy’ Ollivierre asking to ‘Give them a chance’.

Also coming strong are their two newcomers, Grennon ‘Buffa G’ Nero with ‘Save the youths’, and Kenley Baptiste ‘Lyrical Melody’, singing ‘I am a Vincy’.

On Tour tent was next in the top listing, with seven bards. Among them is newcomer to the Calypso stage, the 2025 Ragga Soca Monarch, Utamo ‘Bongo Prime’ Rose, who is singing ‘The Messenger Reserves’.

Additionally, they have the experienced selectees in Dereck ‘Man Sick’ Alexander, who is asking ‘Why?’, Alvin ‘Zion-I’ Dennie, who says ‘Ah feel proud’, Glenford ‘Azara’ Charles with his” ‘All hand on deck’, Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne singing ‘Havana’ and ‘Marvolous Marvo’, while tent leader and former monarch Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey says, ‘Ah done forget’.

Graduates tent leader Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts and his ‘Hook in the gill’ leads the three selections for his tent. The other two are Johnny ‘Rebel’ Hall singing ‘We carnival music’, and Kendal ‘Wasay’ Williams with his upbeat number ‘Coming again’.

From the new tent on the block, Calypso Cabaret, there is a combined total of more than 100 years of calypso experience between the tent leader and his deputy.

Tent leader Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance, singing will be performing ‘My Party lose’, and Robert ‘Patches’ King, ‘Bull Wood’.

Joining Chanique from the US-based Dynamites tent is Kemmy Christopher with his ‘Hope’.

Two reserves were named in Abuzanimah ‘Abuza’ Cyrus from the Graduates who sang ‘Dress and shirt up’, and Carlos ‘ Rejector’ Providence r of Dynamites with ‘SVG Is’.