BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NINE of Nevis’ top Kaisonians have pushed their way to the head of the game and in just a matter of days, they would be competing in the final round of the Culturama 40 TDC Kaiso Monarch Competition against the reigning Kaiso Monarch, King Binghi.
The semi-final round of the competition was originally scheduled for Friday (Jul. 25) but was held on the following day at the Cultural Complex where 13 kaisonians competed for one of the finalist spots.
Daddy Nature, Flamingo, Black Hat, Dis ‘N’ Dat, Astro, JoJo, Baker, Nutsy and Hollywood were fortunate enough to advance to the finals but De Enforcer, Pupa Wheeler, Adowah and Sabu did not make the cut.
Chairman of the Culturama Kaiso Committee Keith Glasgow explained to SKNVibes that a meeting was held with the kaisonians and it was proposed that just for this year – the big 40 – the number of calypsonians who advance to the finals would be increased from seven to nine. He said the kaisonians agreed and the temporary change was instituted.
The change presents a bit more of a challenge for the artistes who would not only have to fight harder to bypass each other and secure one of the top spots but they would also have to extend more of an effort in trying to dethrone the reigning monarch, King Bingie.
Daddy Nature’s two songs are ‘One Nation’ and ‘Anniversary’; Flamingo’s are ‘Discipline’ and ‘The Cost of Nation Building’; Black Hat’s are ‘Memories of Culturama’ and ‘A Few Good Men’; Dis ‘N’ Dat’s renditions are ‘Unsung Heroes’ and ‘Chook Dem’ and ‘What is Your Plan’ and ‘To Be Nevisian’ are the songs Astro performed in the semi-final round.
‘Let It Grow’ and ‘40 Reasons’ are Hollywood’s pieces; Nutsy’s are ‘40 Years’ and ‘Citizens All Aboard’; Barker’s renditions are ‘Nevis Progressing Still’ and ‘De Big One, Baby’ and JoJo’s are ‘You Make Me Blue’ and ‘Big Up De Farmers’.
They would come up against King Binghie, who will be defending his crown with two songs, one of which is ‘Ah Dog Loss”.
The order of appearance has not yet been determined and according to Chairman Glasgow, a lunch for the calypsonians would be held tomorrow during which the order would be determined.
Whoever wins the competition will walk away with a brand new red 2014-$80,000 Toyota Yaris. The First Runner Up would win $10,000 with the Second Runner Up receiving an $8,000 prize.
The Kaiso bullring – the Cultural Complex - is expected to come alive on August 3 from 8:00 p.m.
