“I want to make it clear that I am not done with singing, just with competition”
The Mighty Rebel has decided to quit singing at the competition level saying he was forced to retire because of shabby treatment by the state-controlled television station, but he admits also that the time seems right to exit now.
The reigning calypso monarch is leaving on top of the art form and after decades of campaigning for a crown he has won six times. Rebel’s social commentary is witty, biting and at times, outrageously good and as he bows out, there is a sense that a performer of his ilk is not likely to come around for a long time.
“I was thinking about retiring for some time, but I keep coming back because of my fans and because I love singing… I want to make it clear that I am not done with singing, just with competition,” he told The Scene on Thursday.
Rebel explained that he felt “bad” when he stumbled on a DVD he said was produced by the National Communications Network (NCN) titled, ‘The Best of Mash 2010’ and discovered that many performers who won various competitions during Mashramani last year were featured, all except him.
The Scene contacted NCN Production Manager Martin Goolsarran who denied that the station deliberately left Rebel out of the DVD. He said the DVD was not produced by NCN, but that Rebel’s claims had reached him. Goolsarran said he was willing to take a look at the DVD, but that it did not come from his station.
The DVD captured the performances of the reigning junior calypso monarch; the reigning soca monarch; the road march winner and various other persons who triumphed in other competitions including the steel pan. But there is no sign of Rebel’s winning performance when he snatched the calypso crown last year with the riveting, “All Ah We Know De Man”.
Rebel said the DVD was meant wipe him out from the festivities because of the issues raised in his calypso, in addition to who he sang about. In ‘“All Ah We Know De Man”, Rebel lashes out at a public official embroiled in a case of sexual solicitation saying it is a shame the individual continues to hold public office and even “advising the President”.
Rebel believes his song was not only topical, but important social commentary and he said the judges and public agreed because he emerged successful last year. The fact that controversy follows him is nothing new, he observed, but pointed out that the DVD was the “final straw”. He said that NCN has for years refused to play any of his songs, even when he was crowned monarch, and last year was no different.
“They never play my songs… but this DVD really got to me because you feature everyone else except Rebel. The junior calypso monarch is there, but not the senior monarch,” he said, adding that it was a signal for him to quit competing. He said that the DVD was circulated at the launch of Mashramani 2011 last year.
Rebel has a sense that things would be no different this year if he competes and possibly wins, and as a consequence, took a decision to leave the competition. He noted that life will go on and that his music will still reach people.
The veteran performer said his interests are now pointing in another direction, adding that he would love to teach young people the art form and work with them whether at schools or after-school programmes. He said he is interested in doing workshops and imparting his knowledge to youth or anyone who is interested.
Rebel said if the government ever calls on him to perform at any function or asks him to sing on behalf of his country he would happily say, “Yes!” He pointed out that many young calypsonians could benefit from guidance, adding that his skills could be put to good use.
Rebel expressed some regret over how he is forced to quit competitions saying that he was there from the beginning when calypso was taking shape in Guyana. He recalled that his first official entry into the art form came in 1979 and since then he has been entertaining people in Guyana and abroad.
“I was there when the foundation was being laid,” he recalled. He remains the only calypsonain to have won the title 6 times and emerge runner-up 9 times. Many of his songs are popular including pieces such as, “Desi Yuh Wrong”, “Is We Put Yuh Deh” and “Ask De President”.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
