BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CALYPSOANIANS who performed during the tents for Carnival are yet to receive payment and are even thinking about boycotting this year’s Carnival.
According to Sylvester ‘Socrates’ Hodge, his Legends Tent is owed some EC$21 500 from the Carnival Committee with some EC$18,000 belonging to the Calypsonians.
He said that they have not received any monies and the time is approaching again for another Carnival.
“A lot of people are calling me asking for their monies … a Calypsonian called me last week, prior to school opening and asked if I can assist him in buying a pair of shoes for his child and I couldn’t,” Hodge said.
He continued: “Calypsonians are wondering whether or not they should compete this year because they have not received the money that was owed to them. We are now approaching a next carnival, where it will be launched soon. I have a problem with having to take part when I have not been paid … it’s really unfair.”
Hodge said that his tent is a few weeks from beginning rehearsals and he is unsure of how many calypsonians will show up.
One of the more popular witty calypsonians and former Best of the Rest King, Hot Rod, said that he will not be participating in Carnival this year.
Hot Rod, whose real name is Jamal Butler, and known for his tunes such as ‘Shontelle (Turkey Killa)’ and ‘P-Peep’ said that he is yet to receive payment for performing with the Legends Tent at last year’s Carnival 40/40 celebration.
“They haven’t paid us anything; they said they were gonna make things better, but I don’t know how they are going to make things better by just talking the things and not doing anything,” he said.
Butler said that he would normally receive around EC$500 for performing in the tents and that recording his music costs around that price.
He also said that he has to spend money on outfits that can run up to EC$300.
“That has slowed me down with what I have to do for myself so I am taking a break,” he said. “I can’t afford to let myself be injured with these finances, the more I’m injured the worst it will be for me.”
Butler said that he does not think that he, if he is paid the monies owed, will be able to participate in Carnival as it will be a rush for him to prepare his music.
“I know the fans will feel bad, but I want people to understand what I’m going through. I have people to pay and because of this I had to cut down on stuff to try and pay them,” he said.
“It’s not like I let them down but I took a break to take care of my expenses, the more I participate the more they add up and I get nothing.”
