BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN avid lover of music, Colleen Fyfield began singing at a tender age and eased her way onto the calypso arena during her early teenage years. Her love for the art-form as well as her talent recently gained her the title of the Hosanna 2017 Gospelypso Monarch.
That event was held on the evening of Thursday last (Feb 2) in Sandy Point where Fyfield – whose stage name of ‘Lady Gemm’ - went up against four other contestants.
The only female in the pack, Lady Gemm outshone her male competitors with her renditions ‘Showers of Blessings” written by Richie Buntin and her self-penned song ‘Women Empowerment’.
The 24-year-old, in an interview with SKNVibes Entertainment, explained that the first song is about seeking God, asking for what you want and need and knowing that He is always on time. The second song, she explained, is one about ending domestic violence against women.
“…We women need to know our worth and not take any mediocrity from men at all, no matter who they are or how prestigious they are. We should not indulge ourselves or stay there because we feel like we are less than or cannot do without them. The song was more or less about ending domestic violence against women.”
The other participants of the competition included First Runner-Up Trevor ‘King Zarkey’ Richards and Second Runner-Up Valon ‘Mighty Valmo’ Francis.
The competition was judged by calypso veteran King Socrates, radio personality Jazzy-D and calypso enthusiast and Director of Culture Troy ‘Biff’ Mills.
The Gospelypso had been removed from the Hosanna calendar for the past five years and according to the festival’s chief organizer and Leader of the Unique Touch Christian Centre, Pastor Clive Saunders, it was returned by popular demand.
He said the last time the event was held it was won by King Kinta who was unable to defend his crown this year.
Lady Gemm not only walked away from the competition with the crown but with a $500 cash prize and other prizes.
King Zarkey won $300 and the Mighty Valmo won $200. Both also received consolation prizes.
