BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POPULAR veteran calypsonian Duncan ‘Big Lice’ Wattley has challenged the eligibility of George ‘Kinta’ Gilbert as a finalist in this year’s Senior Calypso Monarch Competition slated for Wednesday, December 29.
According to Wattley, he had written a letter of complaint to the Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Carnival Committee, Clement O’Garro, and a copy was sent to Dr. Ken Ballyntine, who is the Chairperson of the Calypso Sub-Committee.
In the letter, Wattley pointed out that one of the rules governing the competition states that any song used in the competition must not have been used in another competition prior to February of the same year.
“It is, however, my observation that one of the persons named as a finalist in this year’s competition, namely the Mighty Kinta, sang a song that he used in another competition some years ago. I am requesting that this be investigated and should this be found to be true that the appropriate action be taken to ensure full compliance with the rules of the competition,” the letter reads.
Wattley, known for his controversial political and social commentaries, was named the alternate at the competition’s Semi-Finals held at Carnival Village on Thursday, December 16. As the alternate, he will participate in the Finals should one of the confirmed participants fail to turn up.
He also stated in the letter that he took no real pleasure in requesting an investigation, but “I believe it is necessary so to do as in my opinion there may have been a miscarriage of justice as it relates to me not being included in the final seven competitors to meet King Socrates in the finals of the 2010 Calypso Monarch Competition”.
When contacted by this media house, O’Garro confirmed that a complaint was made concerning the issue, but did not disclose the name of the complainant.
“I was approached by a calypsonian who I do not want to name at the moment, who came up to me and complained that Kinta had sung a song that he had performed some years ago in a gospel competition.”
The Chairman said he told the calypsonian to provide a formal complaint and evidence so that the committee could act on them. He said no action could be taken unless they would have received the required facts and formal complaint.
“We are awaiting the formal complaint and evidence from the calypsonian that is making the allegation, as the rules clearly states that no song sung outside of the calendar year, January to December, can be performed in the competition. It is not the year as to when it is written but rather the time when it was sung,” he stressed.
O’Garro said once evidence provided substantiates the claim being made by the calypsonian, action would be taken against the accused. He however said that he was not in a position to comment on the status of the investigation but promised to make a pronouncement when he would have been in receipt of all the facts.
Meanwhile, Gilbert said he wished not to comment on the matter but noted that he remains confident of doing very well in the Finals.
“I do not wish to comment on the matter as yet, but what I can say is that I am very confident of doing very well at the Finals. I am back after some 20-odd years and I know that I will do very well,” he stressed.
Gilbert first competed at the national level in 1979 and noted that he had reached the finals on six consecutive occasions before quitting the arena because of his religious persuasions.
“I had moved to Nevis to work and it was there that I became a Christian, and so I stopped singing calypsos,” he said.
Gilbert noted that after some years he finally decided to give it another try, and noted that 2010 was the right time because he was directed by God.
“Whatever I do is directed by God, and God pointed out to me that I needed to return to the calypso arena and that is why I am here. My role is to take His word and message to others,” he declared.
Gilbert declared that while he is not one of the popular contestants in this year’s competition, he knows that his songs are good and feels that he could win. He also stated that he intends to remain focus on winning the competition, as God had given him a mandate.
