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Calypso is back, baby! Well, by which we mean that gripping political commentary is back in favour at the Dimanche Gras.
Independent Senator Helon Francis is the 2025 Calypso Monarch for his stirring appeal to the next Trinidad and Tobago prime minister in To Whom It May Be—although it could equally apply to all our leaders.
“[…] There are few ways up; and a thousand ways to fall; that’s not just for one… But that goooes for all!
“[…] We need to see: power without ego; take a ride on the bus let people know…”
At which point, Prime Minister-in-waiting Stuart Young probably googled: “bus”.
Well done, Helon, for not forgetting your constituents—the calypso fans of the two-island republic—as you brushed shoulders with the bigwigs of the Red House.
Photo: TUCO.
But there is more than one way to skin a cat—if you’re into that kind of thing.
So if future leaders refuse to be seduced by Helon’s articulate plea, The Last Bardjohn of Calypso showed them his bullpistle! And boy oh boy… In Your Turn Now, Kurt Allen comprehensively rearranged Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s furniture with a scathing review of his tenure.
“[…] Do not believe your powers of Les Coteau could overthrow the power of a calypso; the ancestors would not allow: Dr Row, your turn now!
“[…] We gave you two terms to be the mastermind, reduce violence and crime; but murders at the highest of all time…”
Ah want to fall…
In 2024, Kurt Allen and Brian London, with two biting social commentaries, finished eighth and eleventh respectively. A year later, the judges were far more respectful—as the Bardjohn finished behind Helon by just a lick of paint.
Buh wait… You mean Mr Live Wire and the NCC judges both agree on the best two calypsos of 2025?!
To quote ever-classy Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to Hip Hop, coronavirus expert, and part-time philosopher, Nicki Minaj: Wha d arse is this?
There were some good compositions in numbers three to twelve too, which suggests that we had a better decent Dimanche Gras night. Okay, Roslyn and Twiggy were never particularly memorable while Squeezy Rankin lacked the vocals to maximise a terrific composition, Justice.
Rikki Jai’s Kaiso Chutney was a good calypso that, in last night’s feverish competition, was probably forgotten as soon as he got off stage.
But the top eight were fireworks! (The kind that everyone can enjoy, not the ones that raise pets’ blood pressure and impact the quality of life of senior citizens so Andre Abraham can line his pockets.)
In Ask Yuh Man, Terri Lyons delivered a women’s anthem with enough bite and wit to grab the attention of persons on both sides of the aisle. (Or how ever many aisles there are these days.)
Duane Ta’zyah O’Connor was flawless with Kaiso to D World. But it is a worn theme that can only be squeezed so much, unless a truly unique spin can be added.
Yung Bredda’s We Rise marked an excellent debut. The Sea Lot’s champion is everyone’s favourite underdog story this year and it is heartwarming to have fresh blood in the mix. But he is not quite there yet, at this esteemed level.
Karene Asche’s A Leader was solid. But it did make one sit up straight like Helon and Kurt Allen’s compositions on the same theme.
In fact, Mr Live Wire preferred Chucky Gordon’s Look Tuh Press—ah tell yuh, biting social commentary had mih swooning this year. Maybe Chucky’s attempt to incorporate elements of Black Stalin’s Vampire Year was a confusing touch of overkill that ultimately proved costly.
But doh go nowhere, Chucky! We need more of that in the gayelle come 2026.
And Boy Boy? The defending monarch, who was vying to be the first man ever to bring the Chutney, Road March and Calypso titles under one hee-yah?
In 2024, Machel Montano felt like an interloper—someone who stopped by at the Queen’s Park Savannah because he had a free period from studies.
Last night, Machel’s Bet Meh felt like a much more authentic rendition than Soul of Calypso. It was fun, punchy and had just enough lyrical weight to be a contender too.
It was pleasing too that Machel paid calypso the courtesy of a return. Nice having you.
But Helon’s measured vocals and heavy lyrics—like a police boots on your corn—could not be overlooked.
2025 Calypso Monarch results
- Helon Francis
- Kurt Allen
- Yung Bredda
- Karene Asche
- Machel Montano
- Chucky Gordon
- Duane Ta’zyah O’Connor
- Terri Lyons
- Rikki Jai
- Squeezy Rankin
- Roslyn
- Twiggy
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
