BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FOR the first time in the 17-year history of the Leeward Islands Calypso Competition, the United States Virgin Islands took home the crown.
Spectrum Band's Patrick 'Soljah' Farrell took the title on Saturday (Aug. 10) at the Landsome Bowl in Anguilla, captivating the crowd and judges with his two songs ‘Sing Solijah, Sing’ and ‘Look What We Come’.
St. Kitts Native Jerome 'Ranger' Vanterpool won the First Runner-up position with 'When Will be Paid' and 'World of Turmoil', while the recently-crowned Culturama Calypso King Carlisle ‘Binghi’ Pemberton was named Second Runner-up for his performances of 'Life for the Poor Man' and the popular 'SIDF Money'.
St. Kitts was represented in this year's competition by Nigel ‘Rudder’ Williams. Other participating countries included Antigua, represented by Eddie Melo; the British Virgin Islands, represented by Sister Joyce; Dutch St. Martin, represented by Fish Da Boss; and Montserrat represented by Cupid.
Defending Monarchs King Konris and De Bear did not take part in this year’s competition.
Last year's competition saw an oversight in the results which caused De Bear to be crowned King.
Originally, King Konris was announced First Runner-up while De Bear was crowned King following a tie-breaker. It was later discovered that there was an error in the procedure and, after revisiting the results, King Konris was declared winner.
However, because of the oversight, it was decided to allow De Bear to share the crown with him.
De Bear has won the Leeward Islands crown twice (2007 and 2012) while King Konris won it in 2009, 2010 and 2012. He is however the only calypsonian to have won the Leeward Islands Calypso Competition two years in a row.
The Competition, which is said to be the climaxing highlight of the Summer Festival, was almost cancelled due to lack of funds. However, efforts were made to raise funds through events and donations which kept the show alive.
