The calypso competitions kick off this Saturday in Carnival Village with 21 calypsonians expected to perform in the eliminations. Although 22 singers were previously announced, one young participant will not be permitted to compete due to the age restriction, says Jayesh Sadhwani, Marketing and Communications Officer for the Montserrat Arts Council (MAC).
This year’s show will be on the light side in terms of number of performers and several popular faces are missing including former monarchs, De Bear/The Voice, Cupid, Tabu and Khandi.
Black/Mixed Rhythms led by Cecil “Cepeke” Lake is the backing band and the evening will be hosted by DJ Lenny and Sharlene Lindsay.
On Wednesday, the calypso committee live streamed the calypsonians picking a number to decide their performance positions. Each artist only has to sing once for a shot at the semi-final round.
The artists and the song they will perform are listed below:
- Steve “Michigan” Watts – We Want Democracy
- Elton “Chipsa” Galloway (last year performing) – Montserrat Full ah Party
- Glasford “Ras Alpha” Lee – Gold Rush
- Dr. Tiffannie “Daughter of the Soil” Skerritt-Fleming – Modern Day Wedding
- Maggie “Maggie D” Destouche – The Warrior in Me
- James Brown – Cruza /Bulldozer – Kamala Get Trumped
- Robert “Shortie” Baker – Same Ole Thing
- Ozzie “Ozzie Blue” Carty (first calypsonian to release a song for the 4th year) – No Calibre
- Kevin Farrell – King Nattie Negus – Follow the Law
- Sanjarion “Sanjarion” Prince – Thank You Montserrat
- Jimmy “Jimmy Calypso” Alerte Come Dance with Me – Party with Me for the Xmas
- Nyah “Slippery” Andrew – Buried Alive
- Frederick “Taffy” Daley – Batty Contest
- Kenneth “Lazer” Greenaway – Political Division
- Patrick “Dardo” (2nd time competing. Calypsonian Earl Hustler Brown is now his mentor) – Life has no Reverse
- Michael “Sunny Money” Greenaway – Soca to de Soca
- Kimari “Proklaima” Kirnon – Little House in the Valley
- Destiny “Destiny” Weekes (daughter of Everton Reality Weekes) – Harmony
- Bimsha (not a regular competitor – Brother of Cupid and late calypsonian Buck) – Me Waste me X
- Bryan “iCultural” Charles – Money Run Things
- Maxine “Princess Agita” Osborne – Echoes of Change
Tickets for the show are $20 EC for adults and can be purchased online here.
To watch online, head to BakanalTV for details.
Show starts at 8pm.
