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UPDATE: ‘I put my all into it’ – King Paido

-veteran calypsonian seals his 20th year in the business with a big win @ VG Easter Fest Calypso Competition
King Paido performing one of his songs on stage. Photo: John F.Black
Sistah Joyce performing on stage. Photo: John F. Black
Sistah Joyce performing on stage. Photo: John F. Black
Mighty Ley Ley during one of his performances. Photo: John F. Black
Mighty Ley Ley during one of his performances. Photo: John F. Black
Mighty Macko during his time on stage. Photo: John F. Black
Mighty Macko during his time on stage. Photo: John F. Black
King Henry decked in a white suit for his performance. Photo: John F. Black
King Henry decked in a white suit for his performance. Photo: John F. Black
Sistah Joyce told her story in song with the aid of these young people who held placards on stage. Photo John F. Black
Sistah Joyce told her story in song with the aid of these young people who held placards on stage. Photo John F. Black
Sistah Joyce will eventually end the night in second place. Photo: John F. Black
Sistah Joyce will eventually end the night in second place. Photo: John F. Black
Moment of victory for King Paido. Photo: John F. Black
Moment of victory for King Paido. Photo: John F. Black
A King cannot be without his crown. Photo: John F. Black
A King cannot be without his crown. Photo: John F. Black
Falco performing during the competition. Photo: John F. Black
Falco performing during the competition. Photo: John F. Black
Another view of Mightly Ley Ley. Photo: John F. Black
Another view of Mightly Ley Ley. Photo: John F. Black
Rankin IJah during his stage sojourn. Photo: John F. Black
Rankin IJah during his stage sojourn. Photo: John F. Black
One of the persons on stage assisting Rankin IJah during his performance. This was awarded best humorous performance. Photo: John F. Black
One of the persons on stage assisting Rankin IJah during his performance. This was awarded best humorous performance. Photo: John F. Black
King Paido won this year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso Competition early this morning April 6, 2015, taking the crown from last year’s winner Mighty Ley Ley with Sistah Joyce coming in second. Photo: John F. Black
King Paido won this year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso Competition early this morning April 6, 2015, taking the crown from last year’s winner Mighty Ley Ley with Sistah Joyce coming in second. Photo: John F. Black
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – Following a five year win drought, King Paido is ecstatic about winning this year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso Competition early this morning April 6, 2015.

King Paido, whose real name is Reynold A. Phillips, said the feeling after winning the title was excellent and noted that it comes on the 20th anniversary of his being a calypsonian. He took the crown from last year’s winner Mighty Ley Ley.

Sistah Joyce, VG Easter Fest Calypso Monarch in 2013, was second. 

Hard work & dedication

“I couldn’t feel better. It was a lot of hard work and dedication but every year I try to step up one step ahead and I put my all into it and worked hard on it and eventually the victory did come,” he said when contacted by this new site.

He said that similar to other years, he felt the competition was strong, making his victory all the sweeter. “I thought that the competition was strong this year,” he said. “But I put my best foot forward and I have to agree with the judges,” he said.

King Paido said he has no reason to question the judges’ decision or recommend any change to the judging criteria. He said that he works with whatever criteria is given to him by the organisers.

King Paido also won the categories of best stage performance, best musical arrangement and best lyrics. He won the cash purse of $4,500 while Sistah Joyce won $3000 for securing first runner up and Mighty Ley Ley $2,000 for second runner up. Falco won a prize of $1,000 for third runner up.

In round one King Paido performed a song entitled Election Caution while in round two he performed one entitled Coming for Festival.

Sistah Joyce for the second year in a row won the category of best social commentary.

This year’s contest saw seven participants – King Paido, Sistah Joyce, Mighty Ley Ley, Rankin IJah, King Henry, the Mighty Macko and Falco – vying for the coveted title.

In his song Election Caution King Paido said to beware those persons coming “to trick we.” “They will do anything just to get your vote and they don’t care if the country sink or float,” he sang.

At the halfway point of the show following the conclusion of the first round, Shereen Flax who goes by the name Queen Shereen took to the stage to entertain the crowd with a medley which included They Too Damn Lie and another dedicated to Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) who was the Honouree at this year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival.

Round One

In round one Falco performed Buy BVI where he spoke to the need to protect the VI economy by buying BVI. Mighty Ley Ley was next with Prayer for the Country then there was Rankin IJah who sang Give Jack he Jacket. The Mighty Macko was next with We are Africans followed by King Henry who sang a song called Positive.

Sistah Joyce sang a song called Victim in which she spoke about the issue of rape and child molestation in a thought provoking and moving performance. 

Round Two

In round two, Falco performed one entitled Domestic Violence and, as was the case of many of the performers, he had props on stage helping to tell his song’s story.

Some of the sponsors of the competition were Trellis Bay Market, Bucks Food Market, Caribbean Insurance Ltd., Mahogany Rentals, Colonial Insurance BVI, Travel Wize, Big Bamboo among others.

The judging was done in the following order: Lyrics 40 points, Music 30 points, Performance 30 points.

See previous article published on April 6, 2015:

King Paido is 2015 VG Easter Fest Calypso Monarch

-snatches title from Mighty Ley Ley; Sistah Joyce places 2nd

VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – King Paido won this year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso Competition early this morning April 6, 2015, taking the crown from last year’s winner Mighty Ley Ley with Sistah Joyce coming in second.

King Paido, whose name is Reynold A. Phillips, also won the categories of best stage performance, best musical arrangement and best lyrics.

In round one he performed a song entitled Election Caution while in round two he performed one entitled Coming for Festival.

Second runner up went to Mighty Ley Ley and third runner up went to Falco. Sistah Joyce, whose given name is Joycelyn M. Searles, won the category of best social commentary for the second year in a row.

The competition took place at the Hon Ralph T.  O'Neal Festiville in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. 

We will bring more details on the competition in a subsequent article.

23 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘I put my all into it’ – King Paido”

  • VG (06/04/2015, 07:21) Like (6) Dislike (40) Reply
    dem cheat sister joyce
  • Queen I (06/04/2015, 07:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great Job King Paido nice songs - Can't wait for Tortola Calypso night
  • jokers (06/04/2015, 07:59) Like (93) Dislike (0) Reply
    sister Joyce song was not even calypso .what was it soul ? rite there i turned off the radio and said she's not gona win
  • pat (06/04/2015, 08:28) Like (1) Dislike (20) Reply
    Cant even remember what he sang
  • kk (06/04/2015, 08:55) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow! congrats Pado--you work hard putting your music and lyrics together, long hours in your studio. it paid off
  • lame judges (06/04/2015, 09:08) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    What they know about judging calypso?
  • Studio (06/04/2015, 09:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pado you always tell me, its the brass men dem messing up your song, they don't play good. Like you know what you saying--no brass you are king--I missed the brass section though, they just need to start early, practice, do their home work--don`t blame the brass, it the players of the brass.. Tortola get thing going early give the brass band time to practice--we need them and we need them sounding good for the calypso show.. you paying them good--They need to take their art serious and step up.
  • bat cave (06/04/2015, 09:49) Like (1) Dislike (52) Reply
    Sister joyce had the best songs and thats a fact!!
  • Observing (06/04/2015, 13:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Festival Committee, calypso needs brass, so arrange it from now for next year God's willing.
  • Big Up the Band (06/04/2015, 17:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The backing band was tight though, them man aint had no horns but they music was on point.
  • Ears (06/04/2015, 18:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The brass men just want money, they don`t put the time in and take pride in their craft. They need to practice-practice --.I need to hear brass too. I love brass- I miss the brass-arama- but they need to sound good--last year Calypso show in Tortola the brass was embarrassing.. They even get pay to practice, then they come and stage playing non-sense----Cut their pay.--until they prove they are deserving-
  • voiceofthevoiceless (06/04/2015, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Congrats to Paido! He was the best on the night in a weak competition where the standard was sub par.

    What was even worse was the absence of Brass. Brass is a fundamental and basic ingredient for Calypso and I am not sure why Calypsonians would compromise the art form by performing without it. Brass Men who can read do not need more than 2-3 practices to get it right but the festival committee looks for the cheap way out or the way that can put more money in their you know here by hiring the least talented and least professional of the horn men. I hate to say it but just those seeking a quick buck for Festival.

    Hopefully they get it right for Tortola and future calypso shows.
  • egg face (06/04/2015, 22:41) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    deeds judges was ah set of jokers , if you ask me .
  • The minister (07/04/2015, 05:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Voiceofthevoiceless---I agree with you 100%, the Calypsonians should have took a stand and demanded brass. They got paid so, that`s always the issue--One thing though,- I will disagree--no matter how much a musician can read they need to practice at home, they need to practice together to get that unified sound--that blend--Team practice is important--You may have one or two brass men taking their craft seriously--the rest, just in it for the money and don`t put the time and effort in, then they come and stage and make a mess.--then again all the wind instrument scholarships Government giving out yearly, what is government getting back? Why are they not involved in the culture?--come-on.. Next thing- that International Calypso show, put our local Calypso show on stage that night, with two international Soca artist--one to start the night and one to finish the night. the calypso show in the middle-your best 8 Calypsonians..Then put the brass-orama the opening Saturday night at 8pm invite cool-- session band to take part along with four local bands with brass-- we can do it. Contact me Mr. Minister if you need someone to make it happen--We can do it--bigger and better--there will be push back-- with discussions and concessions anything is possible
    • the musician (07/04/2015, 15:02) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      FYI... The calypsonians were HAPPY that there was no brass.... the band was tight that's all that matters. i actually heard more brass than when them jokers on stage messing up.. People who don't know sh!t always talking. . Kudos to the band... calypso Show was a success. Learning 16 songs in a short time is genius! hope they use the same crew next year.
      • voiceofthevoiceless (07/04/2015, 19:47) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        'Learning 16 songs in a short time is genius! hope they use the same crew next year'.

        Is Mozart or Kitchener they practising? Lol. Allyuh cannot be serious. I listened to the show and nothing complicated about most of the songs. A matter of fact one particular calypsonian did not even have an intro or brass chorus to her song.

        Calypsonians who are serious about their craft cannot be happy to have a brass-less Calypso show.
    • brassorama? (08/04/2015, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What year are u living in? Are there any brass bands in the bvi? Who would compete? Make sense nuh?
  • Crunch Time (07/04/2015, 15:34) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The decision to not use brass was in the interest of the calypsonians. Calypsonians seem to be less prepared now than back in the good days of competition. Could u believe calypsonians sending incomplete music?, music without vocals, music without brass. One calypsonian was added after one practice was already conducted. One calypsonian got their 1st practice the day before the show because of his late entry of songs. Some calypsonians seem to just compete to get whatever minimum they can get. Many calypsonians are now sending demos instead of songs. Festival Committee is in no way to blame! Calypsonians need to take pride in their craft by writing and RECORDING their songs properly. Congratulations to King Paido on a job well done
    • voiceofthevoiceless (07/04/2015, 17:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      That maybe the case for some but not the case for all Calypsonians. Find some horn men who can read and are professional enough to produce the goods within days. I know Calypsonians who send in their music sheets and demo on time and the bands after two or three practices cannot get the songs playerd properly. Simply put they too like some of the calypsonians are in it for a buck.

      To solve the problem. Set a strict deadline for music to be submitted. Make sure that each Calypsonian is responsible for producing demo and sheet music by that time (NO EXCEPTIONS). Personally based on my experience the brass men still will not get it played properly but let us start from there. Let us put the onus on the band men to deliver. No excuses.

      I find it ludicrous that we would have a Calypso show without a crucial element like Brass. Make it happen.
      • truth be told (08/04/2015, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        To voiceofthevoiceless: You made some very god points. Duly note that there were two Calypsonians that brought their songs the week before the show, way past the deadline. Had they been excluded as they should have, you would have heard complaints! The committee tried all they could to ensure a good show.

        I guess you have never backed up a show or been resent at practice to see for yourself what takes place! You cannot have music coming in with no lyrics, no intro, hardly any arrangement and expect a miracle. Some of the calypsonians came with no music at all, no lyrics and did not even know their own song. The back up singers often have to look at the singers mouths and try to sing where possible. You are not even counting in the songs for the guest artists. With only 3 practices on such short notice, the band's performance was excellent; one of the keyboard men was playing the brass parts where he could.! People have their own lives and jobs, have planned vacations and the committee cannot expect to find brass men three weeks in advance; some were off island. You should be happy that there was a good show in lieu of the small budget.
  • CK (10/04/2015, 18:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm signing in to lend my support to the brass section. It seems like there are many people writing on this forum that do not have a clue about what' really going on. Don't get me wrong.......everyone has a right to voice an opinion, however, this isn't the place to sign in and just assume things and create your own story just because it will entertain people. For years now the bands that take to the stage have been putting up with unfinished music, failure for artist to present music, late delivered music, last minute music, badly written music and even calypsonians coming to practice after practice and not knowing their own songs. Let's be very clear............ I have been in practices where the band was literally teaching the songs to the calypsonians. Ultimately I'll say that those of you who want to say the brass players and bands need to beef up their game ............we can once again accept that challenge. We can do this in an instant once the people involved with getting us the music in a timely manner hold up their end of the deal. We can instantly do better it the calysonians come to practice knowing and understanding the format of their own song. I understand that some of theses performer work with composers but they sometimes show up not knowing the songs as well as they should even though they recorded them.
    Straight up...........when the organizers and calysonians could be a bit more professional with the musicians, the musician/ brass people etc can get the job done at a high level.

    Ps
    I am gettin tired of all these people talking about what musicians should be able to do considering the fact that many of the people talking know nothing about music. If you have gotten your hands dirty with music or really know how to navigate around a few bars of music.......I not talking to you)
    I talking to the people who think playing the radio qualifies you to critically judge musician. Like I said....... Every one has a right to their opinion..... But you' re taking a dump all over my craft when you talk about the nuances of music that you really can't judge properly.
    Also...... Being able to sing does not necessarily make you a musician either. Their are some singers that cannot play instruments but I consider them musicians because they have developed their craft to the point of really knowing what's going on. When we see them....we recognize them.......we could tell. On the other side we have calypsonians who sing well but really don't understand the music. ( but they think they do.)
    So..... I've seen the musicians try to make sense of the music and educate the singer at the same time while the singer kicking up bout how the music is being played incorrectly.

    Yuh know wa.........Doan com back in the band room callin yuh self a musician if this is how you gun act.

    Dun


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