Political healing ebola and national pride – themes in calypso competition
By Warren Cassell and Nerissa Golden
Jan 15, 2015 -It came as no surprise to many who after seeing De Bear performed his two songs including the popular “Got To Go”, predicted that he would leave Festival City on December 30, 2014 as the new monarch. The judges apparently shared the same sentiments and De Bear was crowned the 2014 Calypso Monarch.
De Bear performed “Don’t Forget Your Juliet” in the first round and was seen in a red suit as if he was attending a wedding ceremony. His props featured various members of the society all reminding Romeo (who was depicted in a large photo on stage) what he promised during the election campaign. It was in round two that he cemented his victory during his stellar performance of “Got To Go”.
He had several persons on one side of the stage in PDM T-shirts representing the PDM supporters who were telling him who had to “go”. During the chorus and as he listed the persons who had to go, they were seen walking onto the stage only to be driven back off by the supporters. Some even made cameo appearances.
Apart from De Bear, there were some other highlights. Rakatang who did not place but received a prize for being the crowd’s favorite stood out for many during his performance of “Jus Come” – a song encouraging participation in our local festival. He appeared during the rendition of that song dressed like a female troupeember.
Former Calyspso Monarch Earl “Hustler” Browne also stunned the crowd when loads of fireworks were displayed to herald his appearance and return with his hit “Back with a bang”. Hustler who had not been in the competition for the past 12 years, performed as if he’d never left the scene.
By the end of the night Master of Ceremonies Basil Chambers known during the season as “Do you know who I am?” announced the winners. Veteran Kandie took 3rd place while Silk was placed 2nd. Returning Calypsonian Hustler, first place – the new monarch De Bear received a new Toyota Lexus for topping the night.
Many speculate as to whether the bible verse “first shall be last and last shall be first.” was prophetic of Baptiste Wallace’s involvement this year. His songs this year were heavy and seemed inappropriate for his comical persona. By the end of the night he seemed to have disappeared from the Calypso radar like the Malaysian Jet.
Black Rythyms band was on target and well deserving of mention as they professionally accompanied each Calypsonian. It begs the question as to why Cepeke to date remains the only person who has to tender each year for his involvement in the Festival.
By Nerissa golden
– The remnants of an embattled political campaign could still be felt during the finals of the Calypso competition on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, as calypsonians called for healing and a focus on national pride in their songs.
The four-hour long show could easily have been called Battle of the Calypso Monarchs with eight of the ten competitors all being former monarchs of Montserrat’s national calypso event.
But, in true monarch style Keithroy “DeBear” Morson showed why he was one of the region’s top calypsonians delivering two outstanding performances during the competition. This was the first time in more than a decade that DeBear was competing in the local show. Morson had in recent years taken the calypso crown on neighbouring Antigua three times.
Earl “Hustler” Brown was also making a comeback to local competition, He was the first runner up by the end of the night. In the words of his anthem “Back Wid a Bang”, Hustler showed that years of absence hadn’t dulled his ability to present lyrics that the audience could connect He delivered and entertained with performances which were only outshone by DeBear’s magnetic stage presence and lyrical antics.
Former and not long ago monarch Garnett “Sylk” Thompson was second runner up, while another former monarch Silvina “Kandie” Malone, third runner up. The competitors who each received EC$2000 for competing were William “Black Jaguar” Sweeney, Davon “Rakatang”, Maxcine Lee, Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry, Herman “Cupid” Francis and the 2013 king Baptiste Wallace, who had charmed with his Dracula song.
The LIME $1000 prize for Most Improved Calypsonian went to Maxcine Lee. The youthful Stevel “Mighty Soca” Rodney was voted Best Newcomer. Rodney making it all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated. He was also the youngest competitor at 14-years-old. DeBear received the LHNet Best Songwriter award. Cupid won LIME’s $1000 Most Creative Composition for Ebola. The Best Social Commentary prize of $1000 sponsored by Aravins Supermarket was won by Tabu for “Sincerely Yours”.
Commenting during the ZJB Radio broadcast of the finals, Austin Howe said the show was not exceptional as the songs this year were not memorable despite the artists’ best efforts to deliver them. He said more work needed to be put into songwriting and taking care of the writers to ensure they are paid.
The new monarch won a Lexus Alteeza sponsored by the Montserrat Festival Committee. The next top three took home cash prizes of $9000, $8000, and $6500 respectively.
The Monarch double – Road March King
Meanwhile Keithroy ‘De Bear’ Morson did a double after his 15-year sojourn away from calypso in Montserrat when he was announced winner of the road march title for the just ended Festival.
His soca song ‘Wuk Dem’ was selected as the 2014/2015 Road March song. The title he wrested also from Baptiste Wallace is given to the artiste whose song is the most popular song played during the street parade and jump up. De Bear will receive $1500 sponsored by the Montserrat Festival Committee (MONFEST).
