BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - Firstly, I would like to Thank God almighty for giving me health and strength, wisdom and patience, courage and understanding and all that has brought me to where I am today.
Over the past 4 years, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of love and warmth that I have received from my fans and the people of our beautiful nation.
It is and has been very humbling and I take this opportunity to graciously thank you all for your unwavering support, well wishes, and prayers. In 2005 I decided to enter the National Calypso Monarch competition to do my part in ensuring that this beautiful art lives on and also to use it as a medium to reach the masses on important issues of the day, especially our youth.
That year, my first year, I won the competition with Strange Land and Sunday Jouvert.
I also captured the Soca monarch title that year with the groovey Sunday Jouvert. In 2006, I returned to capture the national crown for a 2nd consecutive time with Miss Melody and Hold On to Your Crown.
In 2007, One Song and Sleeping Tiger catapulted me to a magnificent and scintillating 3rd consecutive victory, matched only by the legend Ellie Matt. Walk away, also brought me the Soca Monarch crown to boost the Trophy Case. In 2008, for our 25th Independence Celebration I walked away with the Silver Jubilee crown with the patriotic composition Aging Wine.
That year, I went on to win an unprecedented 4th consecutive crown to become the only calypsonian in the history of Calypso in St. Kitts and Nevis to 4-peat. Just this past summer, I participated in the Coveted Leeward Island Calypso Monarch and defeated a high profile, high quality field to be crowned the Leeward Island Calypso King.
As recognition for the success which I got from singing calypso while being an inspiration to many young persons and also while still achieving my own personal academic goals, I was awarded this year, A medal of Honour in Calypso and entertainment for my outstanding contribution to the art form over such a short period.
With these accolades it is tempting to believe that you can go on forever and indeed my intent was to compete for a 5th national crown. However, sometimes when all is going well we forget to step out reflect and enjoy our successes. Sometimes we need to take a break before its too late and take time to rejuvenate.
Renew our energy and come again. After this reflection and after extensive dialogue with my family, closest advisors and friends I have decided and it is my intent to participate in this year’s carnival season to every possible extent except to compete in the LIME Calypso Monarch Competition.
This is not a retirement by any means, just a short Calypso sabbatical. Over the next few weeks you can look out for my usual high quality music to hit the airwaves as we celebrate another carnival season.
The only thing that will be different this year is that I will not compete. However you will be able to enjoy all that I have been working on! I have made this announcement now to annul any suspicions that I may have heard a set of calypsos and feel that I may not have what it takes to overcome them.
At this point the full calypso fever has not started and thus there is little to compare to at the moment. I feel it is better to announce now so you know that this decision is based on me and me alone.
This obviously is no easy decision, but the best decisions are often the most difficult to make and stick to. I love the adrenaline of competing and the energy I feel on final night.
But sometimes we just need to take a holiday, recoup and come stronger than ever. I think many calypsonians can view this as a grand opportunity to compete with me in Anguilla next year God's spare. Because, if I entered this year I would have been entering to WIN and win big.
Again I say thanks to my diehard fans and critics alike and I look forward to the new monarch who I will try to defeat upon my return to the ring! May the best calypsonian win!
