BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HE is a popular educator and former politician, but now Glenroy Blanchette is trying his hand at calypso. And his first piece of work as a competitor is throwing some punches at the Government.
For many years, Blanchette has been writing calypsos for students to participate in the Cayon High School’s Calypso Competition and since 2011 he has been writing for Nevis’ Nutsy.
Within the past week, Blanchette’s song ‘Don’t Sing’ made its debut on a local radio station and it has drawn the attention of many calypso lovers.
The song is riddled with strong political undertones and is laced with issues which Blanchette believes are affecting the people of St. Kitts and Nevis in one way or another. And after failing to find a calypsonian brave enough to sing it, he decided to do it himself.
“I have recently released a song called ‘Don’t Sing’, because many persons were telling me do not go and sing it because they fear the political backlash. Well, if they know me, I don’t fear man, I only fear God and so I was sort of inspired to sing the song to help all those people who desire a better system. That is why I decided this year that I am going to sing.
“Interestingly, that song was written since last year and I attempted to give a few calypsonians the song to sing, but they were afraid to sing it because of the political climate. And so I decided that it is my work and I am going to do it myself, and that is why I voiced it and released it.”
‘Don’t Sing’
Blanchette acted in defiance of advice he said he was given and took the decision to compete in the Sugar Mas 45 Calypso Monarch Competition.
The back-up vocals were done by Shantel Edwards and musical arrangement was done by Cliffette ‘Ip’ Isaac.
Giving an insight into the song, the politician turned calypsonian said PEP workers and the Basseterre High School situations are just a couple of the highlights.
“The song is raising awareness about the issues; the social and political issues in the Federation that need to be said, need to be talk about that some people are afraid to voice their concern. For example, the song talks about the Basseterre High School situation; it talks about the gratuitous payment that was paid to sugar workers which had its own controversies; it talks about the PEP workers who are fearful of being sent home; it talks about generally how the Government is operating and I decided to put those issues in song.”
Singing to preserve constitutional rights
‘Blanchie’, as he referred to himself in the song, said he observed that there was an attempt to infringe on a particular constitutional right which prompted him to enter the calypso arena.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis which guarantees us the right to freedom of expression. So when people and organisations attempt to infringe upon that right through censorship, I feel obligated as a citizen to challenge their actions. And so I could not sit by and allow calypsonians to be censored through backdoor clauses that attempt to deal with copyright infringement.
“There are so many social and political issues that are affecting people today, but many calypsonians are afraid to sing about them. And so I became convinced that it is my duty to educate the people. I have been an education for all my adult life and so I chose to educate the people at this time through calypso.”
The Ellie Matt influence
The former journalist said he also drew inspiration from his favourite local calypsonian King Ellie Matt.
“As a proud Newtowner, I admired the genius of King Ellie and how he inspired generations of Kittitians and Nevisians to follow through. Regrettably, no one has come forth from the Newtown area to carry that torch, so I am hoping that I would be able to model some of what Ellie has done for his people. And so, King Ellie Matt, he is my favourite local calypsonians.”
He said his other favourite calypsonians include King Konris, King Socrates and Star Shield, while his favourite regional calypsonians include the Mighty Shadow, Maestro, Lord Shorty, King Short Shirt and Latumba.
Blanchette, who will be competing under his legal name, will be performing with the Proud Sounds Tent at its next public session.
As for his second competition piece, the calypsonian said it should be released sometime next week and its tone is similar to the first.
To win or not to win
Some artistes release their songs during the Carnival season for the love of the art form or because they want to give their fans something to chew on and enjoy. But, according to Blanchette, the reasons for releasing his song are to highlight the issues and to snatch the Calypso Monarch crown.
He confidently proclaimed that he is “going the whole nine yards and I am in it to win. My goal is to become the next Calypso King of St. Kitts and Nevis Carnival”.
