BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DUNCAN WATTLEY, a.k.a. Big Lice, will be releasing several new calypsos this weekend that he is hoping would propel him into the National Monarch Competition this Carnival. 

The songs that he will be making his contribution are ‘In Search of Hope’, ‘Give Unity a Try’ and ’25 Years, No apology’. He said that ‘In Search of Hope’, with Hope meaning ‘help our people elevate”, speaks to what is going on in the world and the recent downfall in the economy. 

“And the song speaks to doing what we can to better our life and about surviving,” he said. “The second song, ‘Give Unity a Try’, speaks about the upsurge in gang violence and even of political differences among the people in St. Kitts. It’s time for us to unite as one,” Wattley said. 

Wattley said his final song comes with some controversy and is a follow-up to his former hit, ‘The Letter’, as it also speaks about the number of years he has been singing calypso. 

In ‘The Letter’, Wattley speaks about an issue concerning a letter that he received from the government about him being overpaid as a teacher during a period of time. “Some persons felt that I was being disrespectful towards the government and felt that I should apologise, but in my song I’m saying if certain things continue to happen I will not apologise,” he said. 

Some of those ‘things’ refer to transparency in the judging of the National Calypso competition which is a major concern for most of the calypsonians. 

Wattley said that he plans to compete this year although he is disappointed that the reigning four-peat king, Konris Maynard, would not be defending his crown. 

“My first thought was of disappointment, because I am someone who likes to compete with the best even if I win or lose,” he said.