Saturday’s calypso eliminations competition was below average in terms of the number of performers and also the quality of the songs delivered in the much-anticipated season opener.
The eliminations for many years averaged about 32 calypsonians but dipped to 29 in 2023. The dip continued this year with only 21 singers in the first round of the annual calypso competition. While the performers did their best, the absence of many of the island’s best calypsonians was felt throughout the night. Notably absent are Rakatang, Red Ride, De Bear/The Voice, Tabu, Cupid, Khandie and Maxcine Lee. It is an even more profound feeling with Ice Man and Baptist leaving the calypso arena in 2023 for their faith.
However, there were a few performances that remind us that the torch is being passed to a younger generation. The show’s highlights included Kimari “Proklaima” Kirnon, who continues to improve year on year and has the potential to take this year’s crown. He finished in the top spot with 397 points after his performance of Little House in the Valley.
While Herman “Cupid” Francis isn’t competing this year, his brother Lloyd “Bimsha” Francis entered the race. A popular local entertainer, Bimsha was comfortable on stage and finished the night in second place with his song A Waste Me X.
Other notable performances were justly given top points, including Dr. Tiffannie “Daughter of the Soil” Skerritt-Fleming with Modern Day Wedding (349pts), Destiny Weekes with Harmony (342pts) and last year’s newcomer Patrick “Dardo” Duberry with Life Has No Reverse (336pts.)
The remaining 10 going through to the semi-finals on December 21 are:
- Maggie “Maggie D” Destouche – The Warrior in Me – 332pts
- Kenneth “Yogi Laser” Greenaway – Political Division – 320pts
- Oswald “Ozzie Blue” Carty – No Calibre – 312pts
- Kevin Farrell – King Nattie Negus – Follow the Law – 301pts
- Bryan “I-Cultural” Charles – Money Run Things – 265pts
- Elton “Chipsa” Galloway – Montserrat Full ah Party – 264pts
- Maxine “Princess Agita” Osborne – Echoes of Change – 253pts
- Steve “Michigan” Watts – We Want Democracy – 249pts
- Glasford “Ras Alpha” Lee – Gold Rush – 243pts
- Robert “Shortie” Baker – Same Ole Thing – 241pts
See more photos from the show on Facebook and Instagram.
