“Claudette Swing”, a calypso single is blazing the internet and has seen several hundred shares on Facebook since its release on Thursday. Plaisance singer, Mark Ferdinand, who sent the song to the Ministry of Culture this week for a chance to be selected for the Calypso Monarch Final is certain it is a frontrunner.
The song reflects Guyana’s general elections last year. “With Calypso, it’s social commentary. The song does not represent my views. I want to be able to sing for both the APNU and PPP/C parties. At the end of it, when we battle and fight, we must be able to work together with whichever government that is in power,” he said.
Owing to the controversial nature of the song, Mark did not disclose the name of songwriter. This ghost writer also wrote the song Mark competed with at the Calypso Monarch Competition last year. That song, “23 Into 5 Can’t Go”, got him as far as the semi-final. That song spoke to the PPP/C being in power for 23 years while the APNU+AFC was only in power for five years. It mentioned that the APNU+AFC should therefore not have to measure up to what the PPP/C did.
“Claudette Swing”, Mark explained, speaks of something that affected the lives of Guyanese, and uses the analogy of two teams playing in a cricket match. No matter the issues Guyanese face with each other, it is cricket that often unites us, the singer explained which makes it most suitable for the song.
Many people have praised the lyrics of the song and have enjoyed its humour. Others seemed to have taken it as a personal attack and have made ugly remarks. “As an artiste, my job is to sing, and I sing about issues that happen. I had this song since November last year and I have been waiting for this time to come. I believe this song is a frontrunner. Election was huge and cricket is what unites us,” he said.
The shooting of the video, the singer explained, has been costly. Expenses included shooting the video, organising transportation for the actors playing members of the two teams, providing t-shirts (wardrobe) for them, and providing meals for the actors and the production team. In light of this, Mark is seeking sponsorship.
The singer has already recorded five new songs with Paradigm Studios and is working on shooting videos for each song before he releases them. His first song video is slated to be released in two months’ time.
