“If calypso is to be saved and the best interests of calypsonians protected, TUCO needs to get out of the tent business and return to its original mandate of looking after the interests of all calypso and soca performers, including the establishment of the much needed pension plan. “To save …
Read More »Algebra, not arithmetic; Best returns to Chalkdust’s ninth win to get his sums right
My friend AJ is not a trained calypso judge, the only ones able, according to now nine-time Calypso Monarch Chalkdust, to judge the annual calypso competition fairly. So I really don’t know if AJ’s view that “Chalkdust should be somewhere in the middle of the field”—shared with us on our …
Read More »Dimanche not so gras! Best casts critical eye; says why he preferred Karene to Chalkie
Not to take anything away from the 2017 winner, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, the now record nine-time champion, the results of last night’s Calypso Monarch competition simply do not add up. And as the dissatisfaction with the organisers and complaints about the quality of the show multiply—as they are almost …
Read More »Chalkdust slams child marriages to win record ninth Calypso Monarch crown
Veteran calypsonian, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, became the most successful contestant in the history of the Calypso Monarch last night, after he copped his ninth title with his witty, biting social commentary “Learn from Arithmetic.” The calypso targeted child marriages and, in particular, Maha Sabha general secretary Sat Maharaj’s defence …
Read More »Bard women; fickle goddesses: Best considers dynamics of Calypso and her women
It is 2016. Do you know where Jean and Dinah are? And why? It says a lot for the Mighty Sparrow that sexagenarians and teenagers alike—and all the age-groups in between—often answer that question in the affirmative. Round de corner posing; bet yuh life is something dey selling… In Calypso …
Read More »Big Talk from the Birdie: Best looks at Sparrow’s bravado, conquests and fragile masculinity
“Not a woman ever complain yet with me. Ah eh boastin’ but ah know ah got true ability/durability. And if a woman ever say that I ever leave her dissatisfy, she lie, she lie, she lie, she blasted lie.” And there is a fairly long list of women who may …
Read More »Carnival in transition: Raffique explains why the festival is not dying
I don’t think Trinidad’s Carnival is dying, as many people say it is. For the traditionalists, it’s a case of wishful thinking. They want to see the jarring noise that passes for music—songs that have no melody, only hook lines and tempo—consigned to the dustbin of Carnival history. And they …
Read More »Devon Seale is crowned Calypso Monarch; holds off Chuck and young Helon
Devon Seale is Trinidad and Tobago’s new Calypso Monarch after he beat a strong field with “Respect God’s Voice” and the “Spirit of Carnival” at the Dimanche Gras show in the Queen’s Park Savannah last night. “Respect God’s Voice” was a feisty rebuke for former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who …
Read More »Support Black Stalin; time to rally behind our calypso legend
Leroy Calliste or, as he is better known, the “Black Stalin” is no ordinary Calypsonian. He has used his artistic ability to be a voice of the nation. His entire career has been about “taking care of de people business.” I became a Stalin fan before I ever dreamed of …
Read More »Hunt on for mysterious calypso financier
Calypso Monarch Duane O’ Connor received $500,000 from TUCO this weekend, which brought his total cash prize up to $1 million for his winning renditions of “The hunt is on” and “Long live calypso.” There is still no word as to the identity of the mysterious donor(s) of half a …
Read More »Machel feted, Duane head ‘hotting’
Machel Montano is ready to be named “Ambassador Fete” as the soca star wants the title of official cultural ambassador to be added to his $2.5 million Soca and Groovy Monarch cash prizes and his Road March crown in an all-conquering 2012 Carnival season. In other news, it is alleged …
Read More »Benjai award for calypso-so
Benjai’s sweet soca tune, “Trini” was adjudged NACC’s 2011 “Calypso of the Year” at NAPA on Saturday night. Iwer George, Denise Belfon and Swappi set to vie for the 2012 award. More from Wired868 Dem judges mudda can’t (be) serious? Live Wire reviews 2024 Calypso Monarch show And the 2024 …
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