Mr Blood reclaims Pic-O-De-Crop crown

Barbados has a new Courtesy Garage Pic-o-De-Crop Calypso Monarch. He is Anderson Mr Blood Armstrong, who, after waiting seven years since his first ascension to the throne, was crowned again in the early hours of Saturday morning at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St Michael, as the 2025 kaiso king, performing the song Don’t Wait.

Don’t Wait, which calls on all concerned to honour the local calypso icons before they are “down in the ground”, earned the veteran artiste 119 points. Thirteen points separated him from his nearest rival, Ian i-Web Webster, who sang Twisted, while 29 points separated him from defending monarch Adrian AC Clarke, who placed fourth with Wuhloss.

After the presentation of prizes on stage, the now second-time calypso king expressed mixed feelings about his win.

“I am extremely elated. I am almost really surprised as well. After the draw and everything, I felt confident…the placing was kind of almost perfect, and all I had to do was present, and it really worked out well as far as the entire night played out and all the performances. So, I am really happy,” Mr Blood told Barbados TODAY, having performed in position number three.

He has given early notice to his fellow calypso colleagues that he will be defending his title next year.

“Of course, I will be defending my crown next year,” he declared.

Mr Blood also had something to say about the overall show this year.

“The venue and everything was really, really good but [for] a few tweaks…that we have to make sure are taken care of, but I think we have a good thing here,” he said regarding the National Botanical Gardens, which has been a source of speculation concerning its readiness to host the Pic-o-De-Crop Finals.

For his achievement, the new monarch gets a 2025 Nissan E Power X-Trail vehicle from Courtesy Garage valued at $136 995, including comprehensive insurance from Cooperators General Insurance for one year with a price tag of $5 000. The new king also earned a SOL Xtend fuel voucher worth $1 000, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) valued at $24 375. He also had the option of accepting $100 000 in cash or the vehicle. Mr Blood also received a trophy and an appearance fee of $1 500.

Second placed i-Web was presented with a cash prize of $40 000 and the overwhelming sold-out crowd favourite – Ronald De Announcer Clarke, who came third – walked away with $20 000.

De Announcer’s popular number, National Carol Festival, was the only song on the night which received a thunderous applause from the sea of patrons.

No other performer – or song – had resonated with the crowd or created the hype, energy and excitement as the De Announcer and National Carol Festival.

The kaiso takes a satirical jab at the changes introduced under the management of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Carol Roberts.

Even before he sang a single note, the crowd went wild as De Announcer walked onto the stage clad in a beautiful, flowing white gown and a wig perfectly imitating the unique hairstyle for which Roberts has been known.

He had more to give the patrons – who were glued to the stage and on their feet – when, toward the latter part of his rendition, the experienced calypsonian removed one wig to show the change in hairstyle recently created by the NCF boss.

Barbados TODAY was able to get a response from Roberts after the presentation formalities on stage.

When asked for her thoughts on the song, the CEO replied, “I don’t even know how to answer that, except to say that when you step forward in public life and you do not expect that at some point in time somebody is going to say something about you, you are really naïve.”

“So, par for the course, it isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last time. I think I should feel kind of flattered because he did well with it,” she declared with a hearty laugh. (EJ)