BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HE is considered one of founding fathers of Kaiso music in the Federation and a true advocate for the sustainability of this one-of-a-kind art form. But since his days of competition in the 70s, what has ‘Marc The First’ moved on to? Where is he now?
In our last publication, we were able to track down former Road March King and now Philosopher, Irvin Barnes, better known by his stage name ‘Sundar Popo’. We recently sat down with former Kaiso title holder 'King Marc The First'.
Reaching the former Kaiso King was not difficult and once contact was established he was more than willing to relate his story and legacy, being a calypso pioneer.
During our exclusive with the trailblazer - who is legally known as Chesil Hamilton - he said he always had a passion for and a keen interest in calypso music but was never interested in performing onstage.
Seated in the office of SKNVibes Entertainment, the very humble man explained that “many, many moons ago back in 1974, I recalled that I had an interest in the art form before but not with a view to being involved in it…”
Hamilton told this publication that as a child growing up he had many opportunities to listen to local and international calypsonians; an exercise which increased his love for the art form. And still, even up until 1974 - when he won the Road March title - he had never attended any calypso show.
Humble beginnings
Before achieving fame and recognition, a humble Hamilton explained that he and his siblings grew up in a household that was far from wealthy, but he indicated that their parents insisted that life should be lived without harping on the negatives.
“My brother reminded us at a recent birth anniversary that when we were growing up we were poor but we didn’t know it because our grandparents, who we grew up with, ensured that we at least ate a piece of food and sleep comfortable at nights, although we had to sleep on the ground. But at least we didn’t know because our parents shielded us from the hardship they might have faced,” the former calypsonian shared.
The 59-year-old father of one and grandfather of two revealed to SKNVibes Entertainment that with this sacrifice from his grandparents, he remembered that he and siblings were always clothed for school and meals were provided on a daily basis.
Trying calypso on for size
“I had never been to a calypso show but I attended quite a lot of talent shows in the community, because in Cayon we use to have these shows that were organised by some of the community groups and sometimes connected to the schools.”
He said that through attending those concerts he was able to see some of the older youths get involved in the art form and present their talents onstage.
“In 1973 I listened to some of the songs for Carnival and I said to myself, 'Me arm, I could do that because in school I use to love writing poems and I considered myself a poet.' I even had aspirations that one day I would have been an author because growing up I read a lot of books.
“So I said, 'Wait a second, so a poem mixed with music and a rhythm that is a calypso song?' So when 1974 came up, I said, ‘You know something, I am going to write a poem and put some music to it and I could get into calypso.’”
Hamilton explained that when he was only 18-years-old he wrote two songs and performed them at a talent show in his hometown of Cayon. He said after his performance, the song, ‘Come forward’, was well received by the cheering audience and that gave him the impetus to enter the National Carnival Calypso Competition.
Although not winning the National Carnival Calypso Monarch title that year (1974), his chosen song later became the Road March Title grabber for that year.
“I went into one of the calypso tents under King Ellie Matt and I sang the eventual Road March song and it became more popular, started to get air play on the radio, and I then composed another song called ‘Mommy West Indies’.”
He added that the theme for his single was inspired by the belief that we are descendants of Mother Africa and the uprising of persons wanting to go back to their roots and connecting with the motherland.
“My song was saying but wait, we have a connection and I considered the West Indies to be our mommy and I put a few ideas together and I called it ‘Mommy West Indies’, as opposed to dwelling on our granny Africa.”
Victory again!
Hamilton kept pen to paper, continued competing and in 1983 he saw success again in capturing the National Carnival Calypso Monarch Title with his songs ‘Better World’ and ‘Angels’.
And now?
Thirty years has passed and Hamilton is no longer in the calypso arena.
Employed at the Social Security Board, Hamilton had a wealth of information which he shared with SKNVibes Entertainment concerning strides he has been making over the past 30 years, his views on the downfall of the criteria which is used to judge calypso and the transition of the art form from then to now.
As such, a part two will be posted via this publication which would provide an indepth look at Hamilton’s point of view on these matters.
Editor's Note: SKNVibes solicits suggestions from the public in identifying other individuals who have made significant contributions to the calypso art form in St. Kitts and Nevis. Feel free to email us at newsroom@sknvibes.com or call us at (869) 466-9242 or (869) 662-3901 and pass on the relevant information.
