In a competition which featured some special moments, London, through his performance, made it clear that he has his eyes set on winning a National Calypso Monarch title and, from his demeanour, he would rather do it sooner than later.
Hosted by the South Central Zone of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation, the competition was divided into two rounds, with each of the 11 competitors doing a new composition and any calypso between 1937 and 1980.
London, the reigning Calypso and Extempore Monarch of San Fernando and reigning National Social Commentary Monarch, was hard hitting and brutally honest in his calypso ’A Calypsonian’.
He slammed several of his colleagues, some of whom were sitting in the small audience, accusing them of being solely about self and not about the furtherance of the artform and the people whose voice they are supposed to represent.
In the second round, he gave a very credible performance of Black Stalin’s ’Caribbean Man’ and his place in the first spot for the $25,000 cash prize and a trophy was sealed.
Taking home the second prize of $15,000 and a trophy was Lynette Steele-Aberdeen, who goes by the sobriquet Lady Gypsy.
Lady Gypsy, the mother of 2009 Road March winner Fay-Ann Lyons, received a great response for her first selection ’Man’. But it was her rendition of ’Soca Baptist’ by Austin ’SuperBlue’ Lyons which really fired up the crowd. Dressed in the signature blue of the man who ruled the road for many years, Lady Gypsy mimicked many of his moves onstage.
Young Tamieka Darius copped the third spot and the prize of $10,000 with ’The New Motto’, which took a jab at the police service which, according to Darius, was more concerned about protecting and serving themselves. She followed up an energetic performance of ’Tempo’ by Calypso Rose.
Also setting the pace very early in the competition was Selvon ’Mistah Shak’ Noel, who, dressed as a member of the Inter Agency Task Force, sang ’Rogue’. But he probably faltered in the eyes of the judges for his treatment of Lord Relator’s ’Radio Station’. Noel modified the song to bring it up to date with the new brand of artistes who are dominating local airwaves.
’Tribute to Chalkie’ was very befitting of the reigning National Calypso Monarch Hollis ’Chalkdust’ Liverpool, who was lauded by Francelia Adams-Jackson, better known as ’Lady Tallish’. Chalkie was presented with a trophy courtesy Junior Bisnath and The Constructive Termites. A moment of silence was also observed in memory of calypsonian Felix ’Breed’ Joseph, who passed away recently.
Among those in attendance were TUCO president Eric ’Pink Panther’ Taylor, Winston ’Explainer’ Henry, Johnny King and Anthony ’All Rounder’ Hendrickson. He celebrated his 70th birthday on the same day and was pulled out of the audience by guest artiste, Johnny King, and entertained the audience with his antics, even ending up on the floor at one point.
Scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., the competition itself did not get underway until 9.15 p.m. and ended four hours later.
