BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ON many occasions SKNVibes had posted entertainment articles asking readers to send any story idea they had and would have liked to see featured on the site.
On receipt of a message from a young man who seemed very angry, he asked this media house to get people’s opinion on whether or not they think individuals should compete for the Road March title.
He added that he thinks it is unfair to the bands because Road March is the only competition they have to look forward to within any given year, and that there are no band clash competitions. However, when compared with the bands, there are many competitions throughout the year in which individuals could enter.
Road March is the musical composition played most often at the judging points along the parade route during carnival. The first competition in St. Kitts was held in 1971 and it was won by Sundar Popo singing ‘Play You Mas’. He was followed by Controller in 1972 with ‘Right On’ and Ellie Matt won the title in 1973 and also on six other occasions.
Individual calypsonians continued this trend until 1986 when the Grand Masters Band won the title for the first time with ‘Masters Jam’. From that time, with the exception of 1991 to 1995 and also 2010, bands had ruled the roost.
Road March originated in 1932 in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which is referred to as the land of Soca, and the title has mostly been dominated by individuals with the most popular song.
Therefore, with Road March being based on the most popular song, the competition is open to bands and individuals. However, why has this suddenly became an issue to some people when individuals are known to have won the title on 20 occasions as against the bands with 18?
From this backdrop and wanting to be fair on the topic, SKNVibes asked a number of people the following question: “Do you think it is fair to allow individuals to compete with bands for the Road March title?”
Tyrone said, “Yes, because bands also make money from CD sales and they also get gigs which they are paid for.”
“That's kind of difficult to answer; bearing in mind that Ellie Matt did the same thing years ago. So, why now it’s becoming an issue? I don’t know…that's just my opinion,” said Lady K who is a known carnival reveller.
When the question was put to Gawain, he said he saw no problem with it, adding that in all fairness music is music. He said band clash would only be for bands as the term indicates while Road March is for any song that could make it on the road. He believes that problems arise from the manner in which Road March is being judged and suggested a change in some aspects of the criteria, but thinks that anyone should be allowed to compete for the title.
Leon stated that the bands should be superior in music against the other musical forces that perform only for a few times in the year. He said their music should be much better than the others or any individual and, if not, “they need to check themselves because to eliminate other musicians from the competition deprives music lovers of good music”.
Wingrove Hicks, Manager of the Grand Masters Band which won the title on three consecutive occasions before losing it last year to Konris Maynard, said, “I have no problem with who competes for Road March, just like I have no problem with the rules to govern it. We are going to work with whatever they decide.”
“I think the criteria should be made suitable for all participants. In addition, there can be no carnival without the bands and the fans. I think the fans should have a part to play even if it’s a survey to ask us which song and not band, is our favorite, and which song do we hear most.The current criteria are ambiguous and doesn't suit all participants; otherwise, there isn’t no way bands like Nu Vybes can win again. One individual has the edge because they can manoeuver freely and easily,” said a young promoter name Phonse.
One female band lover name Cindelle said, “No!” She claimed that even though it had happened in the past, things have changed and Road March is what keeps the energy amongst the bands.
A vocalist for the Small-Axe Band, Mr World, said anyone should be allowed to compete for the title, but controversy would emerge when an individual who does not deserve to win is given the title. He said if a song were popular and was getting the most plays and did not win, people would protest it.
“For instance, with our rum song, we had more songs we could compete with but this was the people’s song,” he added.
Commenting on the topic, Mention of the Nu Vybes Band said he too does not have a problem with individuals competing for the title. He however stated that he has a problem with the criteria, but indicated that he had much to say on the issue but preferred not to provide a detailed comment on this particular question.
Dwayne, who was passionate about the issue, stated that individuals should be allowed to participate or it would not be a true Road March. He claimed that one must consider the comments that would be made if a calypsonian sang a song that everybody wants to hear and jam to it and he/she was not allowed to compete for the title.
“Maybe they should have a big band of the year award which rewards crowd size, crowd participation and overall music presentation or something like that, or perhaps the Carnival Committee should organise a band clash like some of the other countries since our ‘band war’...and recognition is so important to us,” he expressed.
In a previous interview with Konris Maynard, he said one of his reasons for competing and going full force was because he thought it was about time for an individual to win the title again after so long a period.
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