BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHARLES Fraser, also known as ‘De Priest’, said that as a former calypsonian he had made many contributions to the Green Valley Festival which is now in its 18th year.
De Priest, during our exclusive interview, said that after returning to St. Kitts and Nevis from St. Croix, as a radio talk show personality in the 90s, he decided to give his time and effort into the Green Valley Festival in Cayon.
“I could remember the first meeting I went to. They said to us that the Calypso show doesn’t make any money and at that point I found it ridiculous,” Fraser explained.
De Priest said that after hearing the complaints of many committee members about the Calypso show, he took it upon himself to do a number of marketing gigs to help fund the competition and create awareness about the annual show.
“I went on ZIZ and Sugar City Rock. They were the radio stations at that time. So I got free airtime to promote the Green Valley Festival as a whole.”
De Priest said that he remember Green Valley as an economic booster, where people from all over the world travelled to the community to be part of the annual celebrations.
He said that he is of the opinion that the Calypso art form is slowing dying in the Federation, adding that the love for the genre back then is now totally different.
After returning to St. Kitts and Nevis in 2001, De Priest sang in the Green Valley competition for almost six years and was known for his songs such as ‘Lawlessness’ and ‘Cat and dogs get more tail see’.
After participating in the National Carnival Senior Calypso Competition for almost eight years, De Priest never won a crown but said that his love for the art form kept him going.
In his advice to young calypsonians, De Priest said, “The only way you can really be in the art form is if you love it. You have to have a passion for writing your own music and telling a story. You need to be a voice for many who can’t say what is affecting them.”
De Priest is currently working at Christophe Harbour and informed that he is in the process of putting together an album with some of his greatest hits from then and now.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: SKNVibes solicits suggestions from the public in identifying other individuals who have made significant contributions to the Calypso art form in St. Kitts and Nevis. Feel free to email us at newsroom@sknvibes.com or call us at (869) 466-9242 or (869) 662-3901 and pass on the relevant information.
