BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN what can be described as an evening of highly-competitive renditions of social commentaries, Lady Diva amassed 437 points out of a possible 600 to lead her male counterparts into the Finals of the Sugar Mas’ 43 Senior Calypso Monarch Competition.
The Semi-Finals, held last evening (Dec. 14) at the Sugar Mill (Carnival Village), got off to a very late start but, despite the setback, the fair-size crowd was not disappointed as they were entertained from the introduction of the first competitor, Quantash, by MC Calypso Reggie to the final artiste, Socrates, by co-host SB.
Unlike the two-night Eliminations Contest where the competitors were required to perform one of their two compositions, last night saw them singing both with Quantash opening the first round with ‘Give Praise’ and the second with ‘Horny Soca’. Unfortunately, he did not make it to the Finals.
So tight was the competition that 20 points was all that separated the winner, Lady Diva, from the seventh placed Big Lice (417) who sang ‘De Decision’ and ‘How Low can you Go’. Lady Diva’s winning compositions were ‘To be Cancer Free’ and ‘Dear Fans’.
Singing ‘Tribute to Puntan’ and ‘De Monk’, Lord Kut took second spot with 434 points, while winner of the Eliminations Contest King Astro came in third with 430 points.
Queenie G’s ‘Legacy Speaks’ and ‘No Ordinary Being’ earned her 427 points and fourth place, while Socrates was fifth on 422 points singing ‘Holy Wars’ and ‘Sacro don’t have to Sing’. He was closely followed by Rudder (421) who sang ‘Who’s Feeling the Pain’ and ‘Save Mother Earth’.
The alternate for the Finals of the Sugar Mas’ 43 Senior Calypso Monarch Competition is the veteran Singing Jackie, who amassed 414 points singing ‘Just like a Tourist’ and ‘De Men’s Club’.
Should any of the competitors falls ill or for some other reason cannot participate in the Finals, Singing Jackie will take his or her place.
Forty-one calypsonians had competed in the Eliminations Contest and 16 in the Semi-Finals.
The judges for last night’s event were Adrian Lam, John Samuels and Sylvester Charles.
In addition to Quantash, those who did not make the cut at last night’s event are: Polo who sang Madam Facebook’ and ‘SKN Nice and Sexy’; Alamoulou with ‘Boxes’ and ‘Steinmore Steale’; Daddy Taxi with ‘We still giving up our Seats’ and ‘Lyrics but no Song’; Godfrey with ‘Our Carnival’ and ‘Put back Dis and Dat’; Mr. Magoo who sang ‘A plea to Phonsie’ and ‘Blame Youself’; Kinta, who sang ‘Panic Button’ and ‘Leygo Beat’; and I-Soursop with ‘Black Man’ and ‘A Corrupted Man’.
The Finals will be held on Monday (Dec. 29) at the Sugar Mill, where the seven calypsonians will be vying to dethrone the reigning Monarch, Richie Buntin.
