BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POLITICS is allegedly the reason why the former Calypso King of Green Valley, Bra Bread, was thrown out of the Calypso show last night (May 22) at Maynard’s Park.
The competition that eventually saw Queen Angie retaining her crown featured a total of 10 calypsonians competing in two rounds.
After performing in the first round, singing ‘Oh Sweet Green Valley’, and with three calypsonians to perform before him in the second round, the Emcee for the night, Sexy Sandra B, announced that Bra Bread was out of the competition.
She said the decision was made by the Green Valley Committee and, in her opinion, the festival should not have allowed him to perform since he would have been unable to complete his second rendition.
The Emcee announced that there was too much politics in Green Valley and that Bra Bread should have been allowed to perform his second song - ‘That was your choice’.
“Politics is what’s mashing up Green Valley. I do not agree with the decision. If they knew he had broken the rules they should not have allowed him to sing in the first place; not have him sing and then tell him he can’t continue. Them things ain’t right, people should respect each other’s opinion,” she said
Unethical and Nonsense
Speaking with the Chairman of the Green Valley Calypso Sub-Committee, Dominic Stevens, he said that he totally disagrees with the decision, which was out of his hands.
“I do not support this decision. He was told by the Chairman of Green Valley that he cannot sing the second song because of politics,” Stevens.
Stevens said the song is about the decision Cayon people made on Election Day when they elected Eugene Hamilton instead of re-electing Cedric Liburd.
The song also goes on to state that the people are now seeing no progress when compared to Liburd during his tenure; but it was their choice.
“I told the band to play the music once the Emcee announced his name but the Chairman told the band not to play the song,” Stevens said.
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee said that the song was released almost two months ago and it should have been banned instead of waiting until last night to make a decision.
“I find it unethical and nonsense,” he added.
Disappointed
Bra Bread, whose real name is Geraldo Herbert, said he was disappointed for being thrown out of the competition and not aware of the rules. He noted that he was not told that he could not sing the song.
He said it was only two songs he presented this year for the Green Valley competition, and he had heard other political songs in the competition and even saw a political troupe in the festival.
“Green Valley is full of politics,” said the former king, who captured the crown in 2004 and 2008. When asked if the decision would deter him from competing in future competitions, as he was confident about capturing the crown last evening which he felt would have been a ‘walk-through’ for him, Bra Bread responded positively.
“My song done write for next year,” he said.
Rules are Rules
The Chairman of the Green Valley Festival, Vernon Benjamin, said that from the inception of the Festival they had decided to keep politics out of the calypso show.
“We have calypsonians in the past who have been told they cannot be in the competition because of those kinds of songs. There was one name Amally, and he had a political song and wasn’t allowed to perform.
“All the calypsonians know the rules. Other festivals are no longer around because of politics brought in it. I told them to leave political songs for National Carnival. How am I going to go to individuals for sponsorship or donation when a calypsonian is singing on them,” he said.
Benjamin said when the song was brought to his attention at a meeting, he was told that Bra Bread had other songs that he could sing in the competition.
The Chairman added that when he heard the Emcee announced Bra Bread’s second song, he instantly spoke to him and told him that he could not perform that song, to which Bra Bread said that was the only other song he had.
“It’s unfortunate but I wasn’t going to sit aside and let the rules be broken. I’m disappointed in the Emcee. Her job was to announce not to share her opinion. The calypsonians can leave those songs for Carnival, not for our festival,” he said.
On condition of anonymity, one of the judges said, “If the rules of the competition clearly spells out the types of songs that are eligible, then Bra Bread should be guided accordingly. Barring that, he should be allowed to sing.”
Mr. Various, one of the competitors, said he agreed that politics should be left out of the festival.
“I agree that politics should be left out because it’s a community and one should sing on the community. But I don’t agree with how he was treated. That wasn’t fair, because I know like all the other calypsonians, Bra Bread put a lot of work into his music and couldn’t wait to perform tonight,” he said.
The announcement of Bra Bread not continuing in the competition caused a distraction and many persons did not even cheer when the winner was announced.
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