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 was urged to respect the electorate’s decision, while “Spirit of Carnival” was an unashamed warm-up for the morning’s J’Ouvert celebrations.

It is Seale’s maiden title after the Arima calypsonian knocked on the door for much of this millennium while his 2015 rendition “My Humble Plea” was a crowd favourite.

Seale held off a strong challenge from 22 year old debutante, Helon Francis, who finished second with “Paradise” and “Real Bandit.” Defending champion, Roderick “Chuck” Gordon, finished third.

The final roll call read (Click on name to hear calypsonian in action):
1.Devon Seale, 2.Helon Francis, 3.Roderick “Chuck” Gordon, 4.Karene Asche, 5.Selvon “Mistah Shak” Noel, 6.Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, 7.Heather McIntosh, 8.Victoria “Queen Victoria” Rahim, 9.Winston “Gypsy” Peters, 10.Winston “Cro Cro” Rawlins, 11.Carlos “Skatie” James, 12.Marsha “Lady Adana” Davis-Clifton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu4W_rWy2gU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gliHqz5NT_o

More from Wired868

A Tribute to The Mighty Sparrow: The Birdie sings no more!

Today, Trinidad and Tobago, and indeed the Caribbean, bids farewell to a true cultural giant. With the passing of Dr Read more

Early Bird: Was Chalkdust’s offer to train calypso judges no more than a half-pick duck?

Unlike Cro Cro, Gypsy and Sugar Aloes, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool has spoken in 2026. But one wishes that, in Read more

Early Bird: Alligators, three dumb mice and one dog that did bark

What will history remember about Carnival 2026? Not the mas, for sure! Post-Minshall, mas has been eminently forgettable. Most, especially Read more

Early Bird: Calypso canines and curious case of Chalkdust’s tongue-in-cheek criticisms

Dogs, we have heard from since the Rock of Ages was a pebble, are man’s best friend. On the evidence Read more

Daly Bread: Culture and the economy—the leveraging of carnival

In light of current general statements about economic diversification, it will not surprise my readers that I will proceed on Read more

Early Bird: Down the rabbit hole of kaiso’s cats and dogs and the continuing Keith/ Kamla cussout

Truth be told, Dr Keith Rowley should have held his tongue—he does not have the moral high ground. He should Read more

Editor