BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOR the fourth time in the history of her career as a senior calypsonian, Queen Anastasia has been crowned Monarch of the Female Bacchanal Competition.
This feat was accomplished last night (Dec. 17) at the Sugar Mill, where, from among a field of 10 competitors, Queen Anastasia stole the show and dethroned Singing Jackie in the process.
The night however did not only belong to her. Lala also shared the spotlight as he dethroned Hot Rod to take the crown in the Best of the Rest Competition, which was the first of the two events for the night.
Lala, who has been in the calypso arena for 50 years, won the judges nod with a rendition called ‘Puppy A Tun Dog’, which had become very popular since the opening of the calypso tents. But what made the audience appreciate it more, was Lala’s performance and props. He took onstage a pup, a dog, a lamb, a sheep and a cat.
Speaking with SKNVibes after being declared the new King, Lala said it was a great feeling to win the crown.
In response to what message he wanted to convey in his rendition, Lala said, “It’s about the knock bout I get as a calypsonian…I was small now I turn big.”
Hot Rod took the First Runner-up position with ‘Pork’ while newcomer Lord Felix was the Second Runner-up with ‘Never Gonna Drink Again’.
The other calypsonians were Provoker, who sang ‘Plant Post in Deh’; Ava Lively with ‘Mash up de Party’; Unexpected belted out one called ‘Rock and Dirt’; and Little Willy sang ‘Run Willy Run’.
As usual, the Best of the Rest Competition was filled with wit that kept the crowd well-entertained.
This show was hosted by Chris Roberts, a.k.a. the Mighty Short Shorts, while Sexy Sandra B hosted the Female Bacchanal Competition.
The defending Queen, Singing Jackie was awarded the First Runner-up position for her excellent performance of ‘Message From De Drum’, while Second Runner-up Queen Kibi also performed well singing ‘Social Networking’.
Kibi’s younger sister Miss Independent, a former Junior Calypso Queen and newcomer to the Female Bacchanal, took the prize for Third Runner-up with ‘Winning With One’.
The other contestants were: Sha-Angel, who sang ‘Woman Stand Up’; Queen Angie with ‘Heaven Knows’; Singing Jennifer with ‘Before A Next One Dead’; Singing Dolly sang ‘Don’t Be No Gangsta Slave’; Singing Pearline did one called ‘Ital Vital Music’; and Lady Sunshine with ‘Sperm Donor’.
While the judges were tallying the scores, guest artiste Singing Sandra of Trinidad and Tobago delivered an amazing and strong performance.
Sandra announced that she had been in the arena for 27 years and extended wishes to the competitors of the night, as she sang two of her more popular songs - ‘Voices from Di Ghetto’ and ‘Die With My Dignity’.
Queen Anastasia (Tonicia Hodge-Martin) will be competing in the Soca Monarch Competition this evening and, like Singing Jackie, is also a finalist in the Calypso Monarch Competition, where she will go up against her father and reigning Monarch – King Socrates.
