BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER some six hours of intense competition yesterday (Dec. 16), eight calypsonians were selected to compete against the reigning Monarch, King Konris, in the Finals of the Senior National Carnival Calypso Competition.
Sixteen calypsonians were engaged in the two-round lyrical battle of the Semi-finals held at the Sugar Mill (Warner Park), which saw eight of them, instead of the traditional seven, gaining rights to compete in the Finals scheduled for December 28, 2012.
The reason for the selection of eight finalists is because of a tie between Lady Diva and I-Soursop for seventh place. And according to the rules of the competition, once there is a tie, eight competitors would join the reigning monarch to compete in the Finals.
The finalists, announced by Chairman of the National Carnival Committee Sylvester Anthony, who also chairs the Calypso Committee, are Craig, Big Lice, Rudder, Ace, Lady Diva, I-Soursop, King Godfrey, Singing Jackie and reigning Monarch King Konris.
At the Semi-finals, the calypsonians were judged on: LYRICS - Expression of Theme (five points), Word Craft (15 points), Lyrics (five points) and Creativity (five points); MUSIC - Melody (15 points), Arrangement (10 points) and Originality (five points); PERFORMANCE - Rendition (15 points), Presentation (10 points) and Demonstration (five points).
Sixteen calypsonians had vied for a spot in the Finals at last evening’s event.
In Round One, the first of them was Lord Kut singing ‘De Master Plan’, Lady Diva with ‘Calypso Back Stabbers’, Brabred with ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, Singing Jackie with ‘The Kittitian In Me’, Astro with ‘Just For Kim’, Forrest with ‘Newtown A From’, Godfrey with ‘De Doctor Poof’, Sacrotes with ‘Gang Rape’, Pungwa with ‘Be Proud Of Who You Are’, Big Lice with ‘Country Before Party’, Ace with ‘Yes We Can’, Isoursop with ‘Strong Black Woman’, Allamulu with ‘De Pundit’, Rudder with ‘Mv Federation’, Craig with ‘Our Pedigree’ and the Mighty Takeover singing ‘Example’.
Round Two saw Lord Kut singing ‘Tribute to Barky’, Lady Diva - ‘Beyond My Means’, Brabred - Empty Vessels’, Singing Jackie - ‘Time For A Calypso Queen’, Astro - ‘Sell Out’, Forrest - ‘Take Away Man’, Godfrey - ‘It Comes With The Territory’, Socrates - ‘Then Sell’, Pungwa - ‘Rat Race’, Big Lice - ‘Ask De Pm’, Ace - ‘Tribute To Sandy Point Spirit’, I-Soursop - ‘Thanks In Advance’, Allamulu - ‘Look What They Have Done’, Rudder - ‘Turn A Blind Eye’, Craig ‘No Sacrifice No Change’ and the Mighty Takeover with ‘Pirates Nest’.
The final will see nine competitors instead of the usual eight at the Sugar Mill on Friday Dec. 28) starting at 8:00 p.m.
