BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CALYPSONIAN Rockafella has been causing a stir in the calypso arena in the lead up to the 2015-2016 National Carnival with a new song in which he appears to be in support of the Unity Government.
For many years, Rockafella has not ceased to proclaim his unwavering support for the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the songs he penned and sung at different Calypso shows over the years had reflected his stance.
This year, however, Rockafella’s song has left many in various quarters across the Federation believing that he has crossed over and is now riding on the Unity ship.
The first stanza of Rockafella’s song, ‘Fair Share’, states:
“Last election, had so much fun, I for one sorry ee dun
I tek my friends and my family and we went down and voted Unity
At the swearing een at Warner Park, and dey break my heart
When I look ’roun‘ and I see, ah end back up wid a Labour Prime Minister in the Country,
And a set a PAM people in d back watching me
Barabbas and Judas from Nevis pointing at me,
But as ah done tell dem, Unity I love you, and God bless the day that we found you Unity”
Seeking clarification, SKNVibes recently paid a visit to Rockafella at his business establishment at Port Zante, where he declared that he is still very much a Labour supporter and that his song has been misunderstood.
He said the song focusses on two individuals whom he names ‘Barabbas and Judas’, who, rather than getting their fair share, seem to be getting a double share.
“The song is about fair share for all. Two man can’t be getting double salary and the rest of them are not getting. I think that is very unfair. I am speaking of the Premier of Nevis and Brantley. They are getting double and I don’t think it is right that they should get double share…
“I don’t think it’s fair that when they were campaigning they were talking about integrity in public life. So where is the integrity, where has the integrity gone? You cannot ask for integrity in public life and you get in now and you doing the same thing and maybe worst. All the years that you had Shawn, Lindsay, Hamilton, all of them fighting to take the PAM party together and here these two come from Nevis getting more money than them. I don’t think it is fair.
“The name of the song is Fair Share and it says God bless Unity; Vance Amory and them saying it but I only interpreting it for them. I am not singing on behalf of Unity. I am singing it as if Vance Amory and Brantley are singing it. Thank God for Unity for them because they are getting everything. I don’t know what Unity is living up to. I am not talking about them down here, I am talking about Barabbas and Judas...Barabbas and Judas from Nevis.”
Rockafella performs with the Grand Masters’ Proud Sound Tent and, according to him, he is the favourite of the calypsonians.
“The first part of the song, maybe I didn’t bring it over good enough for people to see what I mean, but what counts is the night on the eliminations. I don’t know where they may put me. I may win the crown, I may not. But right now as the people are talking, I am the number one contender for the crown.”
