Eighteen finalists will vie for the coveted title of Calypso Monarch when the Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Finals competition kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday at Kensington Oval.
The stage is set and all systems are go for what promises to be an exciting night of sweet calypso.
The presence of five former Scotiabank Junior Monarchs is the starkest indicator yet of the remarkable success of the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) junior programme.
The Junior Monarch competition, sponsored by “Scotiabank for more than two decades, represents a critical incubator for the senior calypso competitions. As a result, this aspect of the NCF’s Crop Over Festival calendar, helps to preserve and calypso artform, contributing to its appeal
and longevity.
This year, the junior calypso pipeline has produced nearly one-third of the 18 finalists competing for $100,000 in cash or a Nissan Leaf EV car, as well as the honour of wearing the coveted calypso crown.
NCF Chief Executive Officer Carol Roberts-Reifer has described this development as “an absolute vote of confidence in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch programme and the NCF’s continued investment in developing our young talent”.
The former junior monarchs in the final’s lineup seeking to dethrone reigning Calypso King Classic are Quon, Raanan, and Doyenne from the C O Williams House of Soca; while Sammy G and Teri, hail from the Payce Digital/COB Credit Union All Stars Calypso Tent.
They will be coming up against Colin Spencer, De Announcer, Donella, John Yarde, Jude Clarke, and Rudefus from Payce Digital/COB Credit Union All Stars Calypso Tent; Crystal Cummins-Beckles, I-Web, Mr Blood, and TC from First Citizens/Digicel De Big Show; Billboard from C O Williams House of Soca; and Imara from Carter’s Shining Stars.
The reserves are Faith from C O Williams House of Soca and Caribbean Queen from Super Gladiators Calypso Tent. Of his Finals placing, Quon expressed appreciation for the value of the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Competition to his development as an artiste and a calypsonian.]
“When we look at the progress that previous juniors have made in taking that step or that leap towards the
Pic-O-De-Crop competition, it goes without saying that the [Scotiabank] Junior Monarch Competition has played its role, and a vital role,” he stated.
Quon emphasised junior programme’s help in honing his skills and provided “an excellent [platform] in my progression as an artiste”. Another former Junior Monarch, Raanan, described the transition to the big stage as “seamless”.
He also credited the support of family, tent mates, and supporters.
The excited Pic-O-De-Crop finalists remarked: “I’m really enjoying it. I’m absolutely loving it, really looking forward to getting on to the big stage and putting on a show this year.” Sammy G, who first made it to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals at age 17, looked back with pride at her development from the juniors where she contested for several years.
“The Scotiabank workshops really assisted me in preparing for Junior Monarch, so I’ve taken the values and the preparations from Junior Monarch workshops, and the experience . . . into the Pic-O-De-Crop,” she explained.
Doyenne, on the other hand, highlighted the roles of stalwarts such Christal Cummins-Beckles, Anthony “Sarg” Sargeant, and the late songwriter Christine Eli. She outlined: “The competition really prepares you for the bigger stage . . . . It wasn’t just coming to Junior Monarch, bringing a song, and just singing; there was actually a process where people helped you with areas such as diction and stage presence.”
For Teri, the progression to Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop was an incremental process that allowed her to grow as an artiste, while developing areas such lyrics, melody, rendition, and performance.
After recently watching junior performances from 2014 onward, Teri said she observed remarkable improvements.
“Junior Monarch also allowed for networking. I was always impressed with how many seasoned calypsonians would come to the workshops. They were willing to assist the juniors, and so, I was able to create connections with people like Bag, Gabby, AJ, Blood, TC – mentors . . . who even now, I know I can call to assist me in any way possible,” she revealed. (PR)
1. Name: Eric Lewis
Stage Name: Rudefus
Song: De Church Bell
Position: No. 1
Tent: All Stars
2. Name: Teri Williams-Niles
Stage Name: Teri
Song: Who We Are
Position: No. 2
Tent: All Stars
3. Name: John Yarde
Stage Name: John Yarde
Song: I Will Remember You
Position: No. 3
Tent: All Stars
4. Name: Colin Spencer
Stage Name: Colin Spencer
Song: If Yah Do These Things
Position: No. 4
Tent: All Stars
5. Name: Samantha Greaves
Stage Name: Sammy G
Song: Dear Diary
Position: No. 5
Tent: All Stars
6. Name: Dequon Alleyne
Stage Name: Quon
Song: Animal Kingdom
Position: No. 6
Tent: House of Soca
7. Name: Billboard Murrell
Stage Name: Billboard
Song: Recovery Plan
Position: No. 7
Tent: House of Soca
8. Name: Anderson Armstrong
Stage Name: Mr. Blood
Song: Mr. Skeptic
Position: No. 8
Tent: De Big Show
9. Name: Ian Webster
Stage Name: I-Web
Song: Dear Lord
Position: No. 9
Tent: De Big Show
10. Name: Raanan Hackett
Stage Name: Raanan
Song: If I Was To Win
Position: No. 10
Tent: House of Soca
11. Name: Shondell Jahbari
Stage Name: Imara
Song: We Come Here To Work
Position: No. 11
Tent: Shining Stars
12. Name: Jude Clarke
Stage Name: Jude Clarke
Song: Struggling
Position: No. 12
Tent: All Stars
13. Name: Terrencia Coward-Thompson
Stage Name: TC
Song: Kaiso Reporter
Position: No. 13
Tent: De Big Show
14. Name: Chrystal Cummins-Beckles Holder
Stage Name: Chrystal Cummins-Beckles
Song: Crazy
Position: No. 14
Tent: De Big Show
15. Name: William Waithe
Stage Name: Classic
Song: Duh Get In
Position: No. 15
Tent: De Big Show
16. Name: Donella Weekes-Oliver
Stage Name: Donella
Song: Dat Is Calypso
Position: No. 16
Tent: All Stars
17. Name: Anita Elcock
Stage Name: Doyenne
Song: Love Affair
Position: No. 17
Tent: House of Soca
18. Name: Ronald Clarke
Stage Name: De Announcer
Song: MiaN Loves D’s
Position: No. 18
Tent: All Stars
(PR)