Out of respect for the tragedy at Lusignan the Adult Calypso competition quarterfinals was cancelled last Saturday so the full line-up of performers will be in Bartica tonight campaigning for the title when the semi-finals is held. The cut will be greater, the stakes are higher and anyone is at the risk of not making the finals.
Earlier this week, when The Scene spoke with the remaining calypsonians – except Lord Canary – many of them were still seeking sponsorship and were yet to get their costumes among other things.
Among the second batch of calypsonians interviewed were Burnham resurrected; a steamy mechanic; an advocate against trafficking in persons; a newcomer; a campaigner back after 20 years; someone dancing to the VAT tune and another spreading the message of unity.
John “Ras Marcus” Marcus
Ras Marcus is different. He has his own style and often whatever he sings can stir up a controversy. This year he is coming as Forbes Burnham resurrected from the dead to put an end to the growing friction within the PNCR party between Leader Corbin and Team Alexander. Marcus said Burnham wanted to come back years ago but feels this is a critical time and none more important. With “The Resurrection”, Marcus is hoping to take what he said belonged to him since last year. He placed second behind Rebel in 2007 with “They fugat Chinee”, a controversial second according to him. He has had a series of seconds in the competition but is best remembered for the daring, “Fuh Cup”. He is still fighting the University of Guyana for his law certificate which he said was earned in 2003, but right now he focused on putting things right in the PNCR. Marcus sings:
“Ah did not resurrect when Desmond chase Hammy from de PNC
Ah never want him as me deputy
Ah didn’t not resurrect when Desmond again get rid of Aubrey Norton
Ah didn’t sorry this happen, some of them big shot
But ah had to resurrect when Team Alexander led by de piped piper
Made a foolish move and try to tek over me party”.
Martin “Mighty Voter” Byrne
It was rumoured that he was not participating this year but Voter said he has strengthened his campaign not ended it. He is tackling the issue of human trafficking with “Trafficking in Persons”, which he said is directed to the authorities locally and globally. Voter said the issue is a serious one and that effective legislation needs to be put in place to end it. As a seasoned calypsonian with an impressive record in the competition, Voter is hoping to finally take the crown this year. One of his better known songs was “Walk de Walk” in 2003. In his piece, Voter says:
“Respect each other here in this century
And practice the principles of morality
Everyone great and small should not be treated as goods on a stall
By trafficking in persons across the region
They humiliating God’s creation
They should be taught a lesson”.
Mark Batson
He was once the Junior Calypso champion and a school calypso champion who wanted to stay in the Junior league for a little bit more but was asked to shift over to the bigger league because his song was a little too steamy. Batson, a former national athlete and now a band member with the Brutal Jammers said he is not intimidated in any way and is ready to take on the seasoned calypsonians. He said his song “The Mechanic” is entertaining as it is loaded with puns. In the song he narrates the story of a mechanic who is tasked with repairing an old car. Last year Batson triggered a calypso ruckus in the National Park at the finals when he performed as a guest singer and did a song called “Good Wood”, which was also another one of his pun intended pieces. He sings this year:
“The car bend and the brakes feel off
Light and bulb shinning bright as the sun above
A firm seat with sponge with a hole in the centre
And to block up the hole ah push me finger
She bawlin work it mechanic
I like how ya fix it”.
Rudolph “Sweet Kendingo” Kendall
After winning the monarchy in 84′, 92′ and 94′, he left the scene but returned infrequently to compete. This he feels is the reason why he has never won again. Sweet Kendingo is back this year with “De VAT Dance” since he feels that the whole country is dancing to it. He said his calypso is the most up-tempo in the competition and that this sets him apart from the field. He is in the process of releasing an album and said he is looking ahead to Carifesta later this year. Kendingo sings:
“Since VAT came in we got a new dance
All de men with something big in deh pants
Women claim it doesn’t enhance a romance
All de men with something big in deh pants
Some women is sudden menopausing
Oh de VAT dance; do de VAT dance”.
John “Mighty Blue Flame” Persaud
He competed in 84′ and 85′ before migrating but after nearly 20 years away from the scene, he returned in 2006. Mighty Blue Flame said he felt compelled to sing about the three Guyanese implicated in the JFK terror plot so he joined the line-up this year. He said his song; “Scapegoat Response” is a bit controversial since it questions certain things about the alleged plot. Blue Flame said he is hoping to make a statement with the song and also snatch the title. He sings:
“De news got me confused, three Guyanese it said accused
Alleged by a report, they tried to bomb JFK airport
Defreitas and rest you see, innocent until proven guilty
Defreitas and the rest of them, may can’t even bomb a fowl pen
Two hundred thousand Guyanese in New York City
Working industriously for its economy
Why should they ever harm dear old Uncle Sam
Guyanese are peaceful and calm”.
Pearl “Precious Pearl” Lewis
She is a first-time calypsonian who is hoping to make a statement with “Help Oh Lord”, a piece that laments the high incidence of sexual abuse cases in the country. Precious Pearl referred to herself as a songwriter and revealed that she has authored several children books that were published locally.
She discovered her love for singing after accompanying a relative to a studio. Pearl said the owner of the recording studio challenged her to perform the song instead of the relative given that she had written it. She gave in after being persuaded and has never looked back. She sings:
“Help oh lord chastise the cruel hearts of these men
Help oh lord dispatch angels to deter them
Lord look around and see what is going on
Like me you will be angry
For when rape and incest become so rampant
It is time to find a jury”.
Sherldan “Mighty Eagle” Lyken
After a three-year hiatus from the calypso scene he is back with a piece about unity. He admitted that things did not go smoothly for him within the last few years in terms of his music but pointed out that he is back with a strong piece. “Let us Unite and You Will See” is an easy solution to the problems facing the country according to him. While he was away from the scene he had recorded a few songs, one of which he says still receives airplay and is popular – “Lady from Waini”. The Mighty Eagle sings,
“Let us unite and you will see
We can work it out
Make Guyana a great country
We can work it out
And we will have a better society
We can work it out”.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
