BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IF you had ever seen Lord Kut perform, you would know that his stage personality is quite entertaining, dramatic, unexpected and profound. But when and where did this legend’s Calypso career begin.
During an exclusive interview with the former National Junior Calypso Monarch, Devon Liburd, also know by his stage name ‘Lord Kut’, he said that while a student at the Basseterre Junior High School he had decided to take a bold step into the calypso arena.
“In 1973, Irvin Sweeney, also known by his stage name ‘King Sweeney’, decided to put Calypso competitions in schools. So, he and another calypsonian, Melvin Edwards, started the initiative and I took part in it that year,” Lord Kut said.
Lord Kut also said that the first thing Sweeney taught him was to compose his own music. He added that Sweeney also encouraged the other young calypsonians like himself to use their imagination and observe current issues in order to write their own lyrics.
“I really enjoyed my first performance! In those days they used to do the Calypso competition according to your designated house. They used to choose each one from a house, so it was a competitive competition,” he explained.
He added that since stepping onstage for the first time in front of the entire Junior High School, it had built his confidence as artiste; making him a passionate and diverse performer onstage.
Lord Kut said some of the calypsonians with whom he competed in those days were the Mighty Monarch, Calypso Reggie, Mighty Sheeka, Lord Errol and Singing Harlow; all of whom are no longer involved the art form locally.
The former Junior Monarch revealed that the same Junior Competition is where he got his stage name. “One night I had to perform and I had a cut on my foot. Who knew me know that I loved to dance onstage, so the injury hindered me from doing it and that was the birth of Lord Kut.”
He added that when he stepped on the stage at the competition and explained to his audience about the foot injury, cricketer and calypsonian Lord Mics gave him the name.
Lord Kut said that after the school competitions went into full gear, the organisers decided to team up with the National Carnival Committee and launch the first ever Junior Calypso Competition in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“They went around to the other schools like the Sandy Point High School and Cayon High School. In that competition they had Starshield and Ranger who carried on in the art form and competed in the senior level,” Lord Kut said.
In 1976, Lord Kut became the National Junior Calypso Monarch with his two hits ‘Criticism’ and ‘Jammin’.
“A lot of people used to criticise that competition between 1973 and 1975, so I decided to put a song together and call it ‘Criticism’,” he said.
This is just Part One of our exclusive interview with Lord Kut. Look out for Part Two in which he talks about what keeps him going although he never won at the senior level and what inspires his onstage costumes.
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.
