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Five Junior monarchs among those vying for crown

by Barbados Today Traffic
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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)

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