BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - KING KONRIS said that if he ever were to enter the political arena he would never do so where he would solely depend on a salary from it.
In his recent calypso release for Carnival 2012/2013, ‘Finish de Song’, King Konris, whose real name is Konris Maynard, hinted that if the political parties did not get their act together he would be announcing his intention to run for the position of Prime Minister.
He told SKNVibes that the political disunity in the country, on both sides, seems to be causing a “stifling environment” among citizens.
“I indicate to the fact that I'm a calypsonian. I have been supported traditionally by everyone; people by the Labour side, PAM side, because I try to sing songs that apply to the whole nation. So I'm telling the politicians, Labour, PAM, NRP and CCM that maybe they can use me, a calypsonian, as an example to be able to reach across the aisles to all political affairs," he said.
Maynard said that if politicians could not get their act together, maybe it is time for something new and something different, and that is what his song is trying to portray.
So, does this mean he is ready to throw his hat into the political arena?
“Absolutely not,” he said. “But we could never ever tell what's going to happen in the future. I'm a young fellow, I have a career ahead of me, my family, life and I can't decide now whether or not I would get into it. I'm interested in helping my country in whichever way I can. Right now with calypso, a next 10 years it might be a business, next 10 years might be going into public service. So whatever the time calls for and whatever my energies and resources can lend to I will do that."
Maynard said he would never want to make a career out of politics.
“So, no way I would be in politics to make a salary. It would have to be something of public service where I am independent from thinking about it as a career. If the day ever came for me to do that I would not want it for financial rewards.”
In terms of his song, Maynard said he would begin writing and he would allow his friends and family to listen to it and they would always encourage him to finish the song.
“The idea stems from reality. Whenever I'm doing my songs, I take a bit of time to finish them because I go over them and make sure they are what they're supposed to be; the music, the theme, making sure the whole song come together.
“I told myself I can make this into a song and talk about some of the things that I have songs about that maybe up to this day I still can't finish them. Because of my little curse of trying to be perfect, trying to avoid any problems, I don't think it's finish, so my fans, friends, family, they tell me finish de song.”
He continued: "If I go to finish the song I have, for example, on the economy, the implication is I'll have to criticise certain sets of people, and that might make other sets of people upset. So that’s some of the reservations I have in finishing de song.”
Maynard said that he would be giving the calypso competition his all and would not be entering this year’s Soca Monarch competition.
“I found being away and dealing with my responsibilities here (Tortola) were a bit straining on me, so I decided to take a break from soca and concentrate on calypso. So I can still give my full self to calypso and still have my responsibilities. So I don't go half way.”
He said that he would be defending his crown to the fullest.
“I will never sit down and let some other calypsonian walk over me. I have to defend my crown. I know people will come hard but I'm set to retain my crown and I'm making sure the material I put out will help do that, and I think the second song will help me towards that goal,” he said.
Very tight-lipped about his second song, Maynard described it as “Hitting”.
“As usual, I wish the calypsonians the best. You're only really responsible for your performance on the night, so I'm just making sure that my songs and performance will be the best that I can do and let the rest lie with the judges.
“I have heard a few songs so far and I'm trying to listen to the radio to get a glimpse of everyone. I would like to come and listen in on the tents. I'm not scheduled to come for another two weeks but if I can runaway, and listen to the tents or semi-finals I would love that,” he said.
The five-time crowned Calypso Monarch of St. Kitts and Nevis and the reigning Leeward Islands Monarch is the Facility Supervisor for SOL Petroleum in the British Virgin Islands and he resides in Tortola.
He recently celebrated his second year of marriage with wife Shamara and the couple is yet to welcome their first child.
