BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – REIGNING Calypso Monarch Konris Maynard has added another title to his historic four-peat victories in the twin-island Federation when he was last Saturday (Aug. 8) crowned the 2009 Leeward Island Calypso King.
Representing St. Kitts at the competition, which was held at Landsome Bowl in Anguilla with SKNVibes’ Leslie ‘Sugar Bowl’ Morton as the MC, Maynard said he is more than honoured to have another victory under his belt.
“I am honoured to have won such a prestigious competition. It was a humble experience because the show was of a high quality. It was also an honour and a privilege to perform amongst the likes of King Zacari out of Antigua, who won the first ever Leeward Island Calypso Competition, and the others who have much experience in calypso music.”
The two songs that the new Leeward Island Calypso King performed to unanimously win the judge’s approval are ‘One Song and ‘Trophy Case’, while the recently-crowned Culturama Senior Calypso Monarch, Calvin ‘I-Soursop’ Johnson, who represented sister isle Nevis, failed to make it in the top three.
Queen Makeisha of the British Virgin Islands took the First Runner-up spot and she was closely followed by King Repeater of Anguilla.
Saturday marked the 13th staging of the show and this has been Maynard’s third attempt at the crown. His first attempt was in 2006 and he followed up in 2007, but he placed fourth on both occasions.
Kittitian calypso legend ‘King Ellie Matt’, who has won 10 Calypso Monarch titles and seven Road March titles, was honoured at the show for his contribution to the art form in the Leeward Islands.
Konris Maynard is the third Kittitian to have been crowned the Leeward Island Calypso King; the first was King Socrates and Ayatollah followed in his footsteps.
