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Sistah Joyce out of calypso show; Snubbed as guest artiste

Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce is not defending her Calypso crown this year but is upset she has been snubbed as a guest performer. Photo: Provided
The Facebook post by Sistah Joyce that is creating a stir. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook post by Sistah Joyce that is creating a stir. Photo: Facebook
Sistah Joyce won the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th time on July 27, 2016 at Rita Francis Festiville Photo: VINO/File
Sistah Joyce won the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th time on July 27, 2016 at Rita Francis Festiville Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - 4-time Calypso Queen Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce will surprisingly not defend her title at this year's Calypso Competition held as part of Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival. Now the artiste is upset that she has been snubbed as a guest performer for the show on August 2, 2017.

"Just letting my fans know I will not be competing in the calypso competition in Road Town this year. See y'all next year once nature permits. Dont ask no question," Sistah Joyce wrote on Facebook.

It is not clear why the reigning Calypso Monarch has chosen not to defend her title and she declined to comment further when contacted by this news site.

Nevertheless, Sistah Joyce is not taking it nicely that she has not been invited to perform as a guest artiste for the Calypso show as well as other nights in the Neil A. Blyden aka Mr Melee Festiville in Road Town.

Meanwhile, Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Chairman, Mr Trefor A. Grant confirmed to this news site that Sistah Joyce is not participating this year.

"It is unfortunate, as we did and always expect that our reigning monarch would defend their title. I would suggest that you make contact with her with regards to her reason for not participating. However the VIFFC has always been supportive of the Calypsonians participating in the competition and we will continue to do so," Mr Grant said.

Sistah Joyce overlooked

However, one of our sources within the committee said that Ms Searles has been overlooked by the committee. "But I think that is not at all right. If she has chosen not to compete this year, come on is four years straight she has been winning, and yes I might have done the same, step back and give others a chance, but we need to show her some respect and appreciation and have her perform as a guest. We should even have her come and crown the person who wins this year but I keeping my mouth up my mommy."

The reigning monarch have also taken issue with the committee for not having her perform otherwise. On social media she said, "Let me let  y'all know how bygone people have me like a artist begging in this country. I've contacted just about everyone who is in control of entertainment for Festival including... trying to be a guest artist for calyoso show and was and was turned down flat who ain't have money to pay. Wow. But it's ok man I must make it."

She; however, expressed appreciation for at least one member on the committee, Kenny Thompson, who she said always puts her to perform. "If he can't this year is ok. Thanks still bredrin. Den a go tired fe see me face. Happy festival all."

No respect

Then before all of the aforementioned, the mother of five, who hails from the sister island of Virgin Gorda and has been performing at almost every national entertainment events, had to call out the VI Festival committee for not giving her her roses or even feather by promoting her on their advertising posters which featured artists both local and foreign who are and are not performing this year. She was not going to let that what she described as "not having respect" for her four year reign sleep silently.

In blasting them she said, "You see me am a proud Virgin Islander and none of y'all so call authority do gonna stop me from shining... I must make it. Imagine am the calypso Monarch for 4 straight years but because I am not y'all friend or let me say y'all have no respect for me and the calypso art form y'all had never put my picture on y'all poster. Set aaaaa. But never the less I and I stand royal beautiful straight forward and proud."

"Have z great festival all. And yes I am pissed. But I know y'all don't give a damn. Who the cap fit y'all wear it. Now y'all can say I petty me nah care."

However, shortly after her post, the committee rushed to amend the poster by adding her photo.

34 Responses to “Sistah Joyce out of calypso show; Snubbed as guest artiste”

  • VG (22/07/2017, 10:31) Like (12) Dislike (13) Reply
    Well is she born here NDP and funny man do not care for she!
  • True (22/07/2017, 11:15) Like (24) Dislike (19) Reply
    She chose not to compete but wants paid to appear......
    • @ True (22/07/2017, 11:29) Like (40) Dislike (11) Reply
      so what? they give 7.2 million to some broke white boys and another 1.2 on a wall so want if she asking for a lil pay
      • Reply (22/07/2017, 14:08) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
        lie you telling!!!!! funny man was pressured and he took it back from Letty, you all to wicked in this little place boss
  • lyra (22/07/2017, 11:29) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    remember last year he take back the grand marshall title from letty because wha she name tell him..........
    • Hmm (22/07/2017, 13:39) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      No it was not taken from Letty Hodge, she was still the grand Marshall for festival
      • wow (22/07/2017, 14:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Its you who don't know what you talking bou. She was forced to resign.
  • .... (22/07/2017, 12:14) Like (29) Dislike (22) Reply
    I am not quite sure how she managed to win for all those years in the first place, she can't even hold a tune!
    • Sid (22/07/2017, 16:16) Like (7) Dislike (14) Reply
      She and Butler bought of them can't turn a tune.
    • Observer (23/07/2017, 10:07) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      @....I beg to disagree with you. I'm not a calypso fan, but Sis. Joyce is the best i have seen over the years. She has a way with words, her tuning, choreography, everything. In my opinion she has deserved every win she got!
  • racist (22/07/2017, 12:16) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    So no lokal nah sing ?
    • Lord o (22/07/2017, 12:39) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
      Now she got a million things to sing about she back out, Now we need her to represent and expose and make us wize and make us clap and laugh, she out. Too much focus is place on winning.. We the people need a champion... As soon as one rise up get a little pressure and the run and hide....Joyce. Why?
      • RasAllah (22/07/2017, 18:25) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
        Sistah J, as a Sistrin, I love your spirit and energy but putting all the victimization, hypocrisy, evilness, and hating aside in our country, this is your time to "tune in" to what's going on within our country and be part of the solution. It's time to rise above this and make this a learning-Educational- moment for those who are watching (younger ones) us for leadership in all areas.

        We would like to see you perform in some capacity. Your presence is needed for those who are watching and following how we are dealing with circumstances in our country.

        Meditate on these vibes:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBonReG7I0Y

        Nevertheless, always keep your head up.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhk_4zI64lQ

        From a born VI/Jamaican. The mix cannot be mistaken. The blood of our Ancestors run deep within both.

        Let Us All Emancipate Ourselves as One People this Festival Season.

        VIOLENT FREE!

  • Queen Ann (22/07/2017, 12:24) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Go Sistah Joyce. Don't let them hold you down. Disrespect, cronyism, hypocrisy, maliciousness, backbiting and jealousy are the best of them jokers.
  • VG (22/07/2017, 14:09) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    GIRL MAKE AND SONG ON THIS TURN IT INTO AN OPPORTUNITY
  • tola (22/07/2017, 14:12) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Can't please ayo at alll the...the font done small can't hold everybody picture maybe the horse that win festival race should kick up on the track..

    If she wanted to perform and get paid she have never back out and just defend her tittle.

    Fete fete show must go on...
    • ...... (22/07/2017, 18:04) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      lmaooooooo @ the winning horse from last yr should kick up on the track cause the pic not on the poster...hahahahah
  • Street reporter (22/07/2017, 16:29) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    She is a calypsonian. We need her on the stage competing.. This is why things ain't improving..Luther, Arlene, Sharene all running because they lose once... Now we know why Pado and Rocky are the true legend of Calypso in the BVI
  • Hmm (22/07/2017, 16:30) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    Joyce u can't b serious?...u that fragile??, all because you're not a guest artist n not being compensated like u feel U should? Like really, sing tunes that's all u have to do...i bet u will still be in attendance to see the next** calypso champion
  • think about it (22/07/2017, 17:20) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look not every decision made is personal or someone trying to keep you down. You keep yourself down by being so negative. Think about it. It's always somebody against me, they trying to hold me back, I must rise. Then RIIISE. Things will not always go how we want it to. The committee said they have no money, still volunteer to sing na. Not everything should be about dollars and cents.
    • bob marley (22/07/2017, 19:25) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do u know the hard time struggle, rediucle, harassment Rasta when through before he broke through, when the band travel Dogs line up to sniff through luggage and instruments, But Rasta stay with it, Rasta did quit, after about. 3 yrs of this harassment, When Rasta Travel instead if Dogs lining up to sniff it was immigration and custom officers lining up to get a copy of Rasta CD no more Dog Sniffing, because Dready had a job to do and he had to fufil his mission.. What's your mission?
  • concern (22/07/2017, 17:31) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Instead of Joyce coming and telling the people the truth she come to make the committee look bad. Joyce ain't singing because her producers say she owe them and if she don't pay they wouldn't release her songs. This isn't anything new. Every year she has money issues. They all running from the new man name Chico B. Her partner did it now she doing the same thing. She just thin skin. If you can't compete stay out and watch, but you still want to be in the lime light. These kind of people make the BVI sick.
  • one eye (22/07/2017, 19:32) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    MUST BE MORE IN THE MOTA
  • Chupppesss (22/07/2017, 21:35) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Always complaining. Chuppesss
  • Trump (22/07/2017, 22:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    sister J "You're fired!"
  • HMMM (23/07/2017, 01:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    too doggone controversial
  • one love (23/07/2017, 22:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sistah Joyce is really talented. I hope she strikes it big one of these days.
  • Sawda (24/07/2017, 00:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sistah Joyce don't worry darling you could sleep when night come ,you don't have to worry about a Audit..
  • fish (26/07/2017, 23:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please wake up me when this nightmare is over!


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