BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A popular calypsonian has opted to boycott this year’s National Carnival Calypso Monarch Competition as a means of protesting the delay in the tabling of the Motion of No Confidence filed against the Denzil Douglas-led Administration.
Duncan Wattley, popularly known as ‘Big Lice’, has decided not to crawl in the hairs of Sugar Mas 42 Senior Calypso Competition because the government has defiled the Constitution.
“I have taken a stance to boycott the Calypso Competition because of the issue of the Motion of No Confidence. I think it is a very serious issue, a very serious part of our Constitution. And because for a year the government would have defied the Constitution, I have decided that I would not be taking part in the competition.”
Known for his highly controversial songs, most of which ‘slaps’ at the government, Big Lice said that although he is not participating he would still be releasing a few tracks.
“Yeah man, I have material! I am actually supposed to release something; if not by this weekend next week, based on my decision not to sing.
“I have another song called ‘How Low Can You Go’. That speaks to Denzil Douglas and what he has been doing. And I also have another song...’The Wrong Side of History’. I am hoping to release them in the next couple of weeks.”
Big Lice stated that even though he is protesting, he knows that the Motion of No Confidence would not be heard, but his action would show his dissatisfaction with the saga.
“I just wanted to lend my support like everybody else to show I am dissatisfied with that. Whether that assists in the Motion being heard or not, I believe if everyone in the Federation shows their disgust to what is going on in any little way, it might not fall on deaf ears and somebody might realise that and bring back the country to a state of normalcy.
“I am not looking for 20, 30 or 40 people, but that is how I feel personally. If you listen to my songs over the years, I have been calling for transparency and accountability and so I decided to protest.”
Big Lice’s career as a calypsonian spans over 30 years and he is a regular finalist in the National Carnival Calypso Monarch Competitions, with his highest position being First Runner-up in 2007.
