With Rebel pulling out of the calypso finals this year for reasons which he has made very public, the race is wide open though many of the performers were preparing to dethrone him when the finals run off tonight at Thirst Park.
Rebel’s exit has angered a few who called him a pioneer and “someone who ought to be respected” while others felt he should have brushed aside the poor treatment he spoke of and continued competing.
Lester Charles also known as ‘The Professor’, said that many people who follow calypso here often go to the competition to see who Rebel is going to beat and or who will beat Rebel.
Charles said calypso and the man are synonymous in Guyana, noting that while Rebel is controversial his commentary ought to be respected. “We’re going to miss Rebel…the fans are going to miss Rebel,” Charles added.
Charles is looking really good this year and he has penned a calypso called, “Dem Get It So” and in it he lays the blame for much of the country’s problems at the feet of the powers that be. He said his calypso is not about disrespecting anyone, but simply pointing out what has been happening with respect to taxpayer’s money and “the fact that our resources are being wasted on so many projects that are poorly managed”. His calypso takes on a string of issues including the “goat ain’t bite me” comment from Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.
But Rebel or not the competition is fierce this year and observers have opined that the field has not been this strong in over a decade. Basically, the calypsos are good and a few of the performers are running neck and neck; so close is the race that no clear winner emerged at the semi-final run in Bartica though the judges gave one performer a slight edge to lead the line-up.
This year the social commentary is heavy ranging from corruption in government to the attack on columnist Freddie Kissoon and child abuse. But a recurring theme seems to be frustration; many are singing about their personal trials to win the monarchy and how they keep coming up short.
In a bold new move, the Ministry of Culture has decided to allow the Junior Calypso Monarch automatic entry into the adult competition and the reigning junior queen, Diana Chapman is looking good. Chapman is looking so good there is a strong possi
bility the young woman from Linden could upset the veterans.
No calypsonian has even simultane
ously held the juniorand senior crowns, but Chapman is close. In fact, the former junior monarch Teneicia DeFreitas won over the nation when she did her piece, “Mama I Don’t Want To Be Born” last year and many felt that had she competed with the seniors the crown would have been an easy steal.
But Chapman has to get past a few of the seasoned campaigners including the likes of Lord Canary, The Professor, Mighty Believer, Sweet Kendingo, Mighty Voter and Young Bill Rogers. Still, the young woman from Linden could finish strong.
The Scene caught up with the calypsonians on Thursday and if confidence was enough to win the crown Mighty Believer was the clear winner. The young performer who moved up from the junior category a few years ago said he was robbed before, but this year he is offering up a piece called, “Never Mind”. The calypso takes on issues in the various sectors including water and light, but Believer is encouraging people not to lose hope.
Believer said 2011 is his year and that he is going to “easily win it” when the curtains come down tonight on the competition. He said that Bartica was behind him and that people have responded positively. “Definitely I winning it this year,” he added very emphatically.
Mighty Voter is usually considered a front-runner and this year is no different. Last year his song, “Torture” was a stand-out piece, but he failed to place in the finals. The visually challenged calypsonian has returned this year with, “Crown Me For King”; a hard-hitting piece which bares his feelings about how he has been judged over the years in the competition.
Voter said that after ten years performing it is time for him to win the title. He said that he is in the competition to win it and he believes that if his performance is solid tonight then the crown should be his.
Lady Karen has similar feelings like Voter, and she is coming with a piece called, “Give Me The Crown”. She said that for years she has been singing and the results have not been favourable. Her calypso last year which addressed the issue of domestic violence drew a whole new following.
Lord Canary is bringing, “Sex Demons” to the stage since he believes that child molesters must be demon possessed to commit such acts. He takes on the authorities’ response to child abuse and forcefully drives home the message that they need to be proactive. Canary is tipped as one to watch because of how strong his calypso his.
Calypsonian Winfield James is in the finals with, “Train The Youths” and he feels that if the judges “judge me right I could win this competition”. James said his song is not only topical but relevant and he is speaking out about suicide among youths, child abuse and parental neglect among other issues. He has been campaigning for years and feels that he has one of the best calypsos this year. “My lyrics are serious,” he said.
Sweet Kendingo is singing, “Counce” and while he makes no direct reference to Freddie Kissoon, he narrates the attack on the columnist. He said that people have responded to the piece positively since his commentary does not condone what happened.
Another young calypsonian who is creating a buzz is Young Fyah, who has stormed onto the scene for the first time and waltzed right into the final. He has no experience and has been riding a wave since he first started singing a month ago. He said that his fairytale will end when the crown is on his head.
Young Bill Rogers is coming with his piece, “What You Sow You Reap” and he feels that it is strong enough to win. He said that the social commentary covers a lot of issues in the country including the tragic death of Neesa Gopaul. He feels that this year could be his year.
“Corruption” is the name of Sniper’s piece and according to him; it deals with a lot of issues including how the judges have treated him over the years. He said that people have reacted positively to the piece and he is confident about his chances.
The Mighty Duke feels he could win the monarchy with his piece; “It Is Insanity” which he said addressed the social issues in the country. He said that his song offers some guidance, particularly to youths in the society. He is well known for an old calypso called, “I’d Rather Be Jumbie [coming out of a coffin]”.
Thirteen calypsonians will take the stage tonight while a few well known names like Ras Marcus failed to make the cut after the semi-final. Calypsonian Donna Jones, who is also in the final, declined an interview.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
