BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMERLY known as the Mighty Crusader, Creighton Pencheon has participated in the National Carnival Senior Calypso Monarch Competition for 25 years. But where is he now?
SKNVibes Entertainment caught up with the former Director of Culture at his Shadwell home, where he explained that during his years participating in national competitions, performing was never driven by the prizes or recognition but love for the musical genre.
Pencheon told SKNVibes Entertainment that as a young, budding performer, he was always motivated by well-known calypsonians such as the Mighty Sparrow out of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I remember my father had some old records of Sparrow and he used to put them on. I remember every weekend with all those records playing and in that moment I was inspired by Sparrow with the way he used the social commentary and tell some really interesting stories, although most of them were about women.”
He added that on the local scene, King Barky was also an inspiration to him. “I was from Cayon and I remember he used to come on and he would be so spontaneous. I was surprised by his ability to compose a song right on the spot.”
Arriving at his stage name, Pencheon said that the concept was drawn from his love for history, adding that he was obsessed with the story of the Crusaders (Christian Warriors) who were said to have bettered people’s life through Christianity.
“Even though they had a militant side to them, they were not afraid to put out their ideas and to make changes wherever you go,” Crusader said.
“I started performing in 1975. In that year I sang a song entitled ‘Black Power’ and the other was about Carnival. I participated for the next 25 years,” Pencheon said.
He added that up until the late 80s and early 90s he opted out of the Carnival limelight.
“It was becoming strenuous on me, because in those days you had to wait long hours for rehearsals and you didn’t have transportation and you had more calypsonians in those days.”
Pencheon said that remuneration in those days was not as motivating as it is at present, making the then forefathers of the genre in St. Kitts and Nevis performing for the love of Calypso.
“I remember my first Calypso Finals. I got a bottle of either Old Oak or Munge Rum and about $50. You see, in those days Calypso was looked down and frowned upon because it was as an art form for the rejects of society and drunkards,” Pencheon said.
He added that the stigma came due to the lifestyle of a number of calypsonians who were heavy drinkers.
Out interview continues in our upcoming article where the Mighty Crusader talks about his life as a retiree and his advice to young calypsonians.
Editor-in-Chief'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.
