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UPDATE - Freeman makes clean sweep to take 2017 Calypso Crown

- Reynold “King Paido” Phillips is first runner up, awarded for 22 years in Calypso
Eustace "Boss" Freeman made a clean sweep of all the awards and $6000 prize to earn the title of the 2017 Calypso Monarch. Photo: VINO
Colosso - Eustace
Colosso - Eustace "Boss" Freeman proudly displays his winning Trophy. Photo: VINO
The Calypso Monarch Competition saw performances from several well known calypsonians. Photo: VINO
The Calypso Monarch Competition saw performances from several well known calypsonians. Photo: VINO
Many turned out last evening August 2, 2017 to witness the 2017 Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO
Many turned out last evening August 2, 2017 to witness the 2017 Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO
Shereen Flax-Charles was the lone female calypsonian in this year's competition. Photo: VINO
Shereen Flax-Charles was the lone female calypsonian in this year's competition. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – One of his calypsos, ‘Respect the Doctor’ was one that created a stir throughout the Virgin Islands (VI) as it hit social media and the airways. Despite many speculated that he was at least the voice behind the lyrics, Eustace "Boss" Freeman never claimed ownership of the Calypso until last night August 2, 2017 as Contestant Number Three at the Festival Calypso Monarch held at the Neil "Mr Melee" Blyden Festiville.

That song, along with “Mr Politician”, gave Freeman a clean a sweep of all the competition prizes which included the Monarchy grand prize of $6,000.00 along with Best Arrangement, Best Lyrics, Best Commentary, Most Humorous song and Best Stage Performance. 

Freeman, who goes by the stage name ‘Colosso’, performed the calypsos as required of all the participants in the competition, but it was during his opening appearance that he unmasked.

His presentation started with  a comical-styled  breaking news piece by JTV's News Reporter Cathy O  Richards announcing, "In the news,  Pier Park overshot budget by 48 million, Unknown singer captured and Pastor relieved of duty by Doctor”.

In what can be described as a very strong presentation, Freeman's presentation continued, “Colosso has been identified as the singer of the popular song "Respect the Doc" ending the near eight month search for at the time unknown artist that released the song which took over the airways. He has been since sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for his strong lyrical content in the before mentioned song.”

“In an unusual twist the ruling judge has granted Colosso's request to perform his song one last time during the emancipation celebrations, he is expected to do so tonight," were the words that sat off Freeman’s award-winning performance.

Politicians are thieves

His second calypso took a different twist by calling politicians thieves. The on-stage presentation started with a few children stating their names and what they wanted to be when they grew up. However, the crowd went wild when the last child said his name is Politician and when he grows up he wants to be a thief. 

Recommendation for Village to be named after “King Paido”

Meanwhile, veteran calysonian Reynold Phillips, who goes by the stage name "King Paido", scored above the other contestants to take the prize as first runner-up. The VI Festival and Fairs Calypso Sub-Committee also honoured King Paido with a special plaque for his 22 years of being a local calysonian. Chairman of the Sub Committee also told the crowd that she will be recommending that the Road Town Festiville be named after Mr Phillips.

Second Runner Up went to Titus Crabbe aka Rocky who made it clear to the MC Ragga that should he had done a "Steve Harvey" he was not going to hand over the sash and trophy.

The small crowd roared as the MC acted as if he had erred when naming him for that award.

The others who participated this year were Algernon ‘Macko’ Mathavious, Gaverson ‘Falco’ Frett, Roland ‘Chico B’ Veira and the lone female this year, Shereen Flax-Charles.

See Previous Story on August 3, 2017

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Eustace 'Boss' Freeman, who goes by the stage name "Colosso", is the 2017 winner of the Calypso Monarch when the annual competition concluded at the Road Town Festival Village earlier this morning August 3, 2017. 

Mr Freeman won the Monarch with his two top songs "Mr Politician" and "Respect the Dr" while King Paido - Reynold Phillips is first runner up and awarded for 22 years in calypso.

More details will be followed.

18 Responses to “UPDATE - Freeman makes clean sweep to take 2017 Calypso Crown”

  • Just Woke (03/08/2017, 07:00) Like (13) Dislike (17) Reply

    He was clearly the better singer and the better delivery.. The BVI is a true Democratic and bless plays, no where else in the Caribbean you can criticised the gov so badly hit them so hard and win crown. As a matter a fact in some places today you won't be having a gov Job.

    • Really (04/08/2017, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Obviously you don't listen to Caribbean Calypso. The 9 time King in Dominica sings against the government and wins every time except for this year. I guess the judges were fed up lol. The government is the popular one too. Go figure.
    • yo yo (04/08/2017, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Trinidad.Chalk Dust is best known for political commentry
  • good job (03/08/2017, 07:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ohhhhhhhh Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
  • mmmmmm (03/08/2017, 07:52) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    At just work that's not all true other places in the Caribbean sing on the government and other things affecting there homeland and Caribbean
  • Local (03/08/2017, 07:59) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why agree that he was the best then turn around and speak about him bashing the Gov't and having Gov't job at the same time? He won, he was clearly the best and that's final.
  • islander (03/08/2017, 08:19) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Star Haul your dumb A$$ why should he no express how he feels Censorship is long gone as you say its a Democratic Country. The guy has the right to express how he feels in his place of birth without feor for lost of employment. as the locals would say He Born Here!!!! Bam
  • tip (03/08/2017, 08:30) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats king boss , nice show
  • So (03/08/2017, 09:14) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shireen thought nobody remember she sang Crab in a Barrel in 2011. I got archives youall
    • Calypso Sub Committee (03/08/2017, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Song was never sung in a Calypso final. The rules were changed this year as well and that is why boss was able to sing his second song which he sang in the finals before. There was a new application this year and the rules were relaxed because of the committee's late organization of the show. The rules were not broken by none
    • Ha Ha (04/08/2017, 11:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You right .Maybe she forget. Can't get no one to write songs for her anymore or play in her band.
  • M & M (03/08/2017, 09:15) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes they are thieves and no one locking them up
  • chad (03/08/2017, 10:02) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know no points are awarded for good grammar, but would you guys please try? Congrats Boss, I have always said that you were too talented not to outshine the competition, you finally came through.
  • Hmmmm (03/08/2017, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    i kno he was going to win
  • Boss (03/08/2017, 11:02) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    ROAD MARCH NEXT!
  • weed (03/08/2017, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about the song vote them out?
  • concern (04/08/2017, 09:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its a shame that Calypsonians have to sing songs that were sung In a competition before. This is watering down the standard of Calypso in the BVI. The standard was very low. Sis Joyce absence was clearly seen. They didn't have 3rd, runners up what everyone accustom to. The Committee needs to be revamp.


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