BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER the past three decades, one name synonymous with calypso in St. Kitts and Nevis and often looked forward to for hard-hitting social commentaries is King Socrates.
He was the Second Runner-up in the recently-concluded Sugar Mas 43 Calypso Competition and had decided to hang up his competitive calypso garments for a background role in the development of the art form.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Sylvester ‘Socrates’ Hodge said: “I am not competing in the competitions anymore. I will be very active in terms of writing and mentoring. I want to be able to lend attention to forming a calypso association, bringing in the youth calypsonians and helping them to come to a different level. So retiring from competition does not mean I am retiring from calypso. I may have had 35 years of competing but behind the scenes I have always been active and I want to maintain that activity.”
Hodge was asked whether or not he could conduct his background role while continuing to compete.
“I can, but they are folks onstage in their 20s and I am clocking 60 next year and I don’t need to prove as to whether or not I can win a crown. In any competition I might have three or four persons singing my songs, so my presence is felt…it may not be physical onstage but my presence is there.
“The little step back is for two or three years and if I want to go back in, then that is a different thing. But I really want to lend whatever energy I have to working with the calypsonians, trying to get them to a level where they can understand that forming an association is going to of great benefit.”
He indicated that the decision was made not too long ago after he developed difficulty with his voice.
“The decision was reached about two months ago. As a matter of fact, I was lucky to be able to take part in the competition. I had some vocal challenges and I had to go to a doctor to get special attention. I have spent over one grand in medication. My voice is my livelihood! As a tour guide, I have to talk and as a singer I have to use my voice also. So the impact has been great and strenuous.
“I was fortunate to enter the competition, Second Runner-up that being what it is…I still maintain I want to leave the stage as a competitor.”
Throughout his career, Socrates has an aggregate of 17 crowns won at different levels. He also has written songs for Ranger, King Pharaoh, Queen Anastasia, Lady Diva, Mighty Jay and Queen Kibi, as well as for calypsonians in Anguilla and Antigua.
Some of Socrates hits include ‘Austerity Mearues’, ‘Killer on the Road’ and ‘No ring no Ting’.
