BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THIS year’s calypso tents have revealed some hard hitting pieces by the Federation’s finest, and among them is Jungle Lion, whose roars have reached the ears of many fans of the art form in St. Kitts and Nevis. However, some people claim that he is a newcomer to the calypso arena and the question they ask is, “Who is Jungle Lion?”
SKNVibes was taken to task in finding this calypsonian, whose name is on almost everyone’s tongue who had heard his rendition that speaks to the land for debt issue.
The search was not a long one, and after some two hours this media house caught up with Jungle Lion, who said that he was born Russell Prince and resides in Lodge Village.
Jungle Lion also said that he is not a newcomer to the calypso arena.
He said he was Singing calypso for just over a decade and that he comes from very humble beginnings.
Jungle Lion declared that he got into the entertainment field because of the love he holds dearly for the art form and that he is always willing to sing about issues facing people at a particular point in time and bring them to the fold in calypso.
The song he has so far released for this year’s Carnival is one entitled ‘My National Pride’, which speaks to his disgust at the recent Bill passed in Parliament in which the government vested 1 200 acres of land to the National Bank in exchange for the debt owed to that bank.
“The reason for that is because the land issue is dear to my heart and is a serious national issue. And if you check, they are about nine people who sing on this same issue, so it is like people are taking this year to sing on the land issue.”
Jungle Lion mentioned that he has been receiving some positive feedback about the song and expressed his delight at how grateful he feels in finally being appreciated after singing for so many years.
“This year’s Carnival is the first time I get that kind of embracement from the crowd. When I sing out the crowd respond like they can feel the same thing that I am singing about, and you could see the chorus flowing through them.”
“I do not really want to be over confident, but at the same time I have never passed elimination. I feel this year could be one of the best chances I ever had to go to the semi-finals or even reach finals, but we all have to acknowledge that the judges’ decision is final.”
He said that whatever decision made by the judges should be respected.
Elimination of calypsonians for the semi-finals showdown is expected to take place this weekend and Jungle Lion said that he is busily preparing for it day-by-day.
He also said that it is up to him on the night of the show to go onstage and put his best foot forward, adding that his biggest achievement is just to be singing in the tents, due to the fact that he has never achieved any major milestone in calypso.
Many calypso enthusiasts have labelled Jungle Lion a strong contender to make it through to the semi-finals following his performance thus far.
