UPDATE - Luther B retains Calypso Monarch, third consecutive title! [Photoslide Included]
In a show that started late and ended in the wee hours of this morning, he emerged victorious over the 16 other contestants winning this year's Grand Prize of a brand new car along with $3,000 cash. Luther also copped prizes for Best Lyrics, Best Arrangement and Best Performance as a result of his outstanding and brilliantly put together piece titled, 'Legacy'.
First Runner up went to Sistah Joyce for her moving piece, 'Talk is Cheap' while Second Runner up was King Paido who performed 'Men at Work' and Third Runner up, Mighty Cloud for his take on how to 'Stand Up For Your Nation'.
In a show that lasted for the better part of five hours, ending sometime around 3:00 a.m this morning, performers came and went, trying their best to dislodge the Crown from Luther's iron fisted grasp. Try as they might though, he was always the crowd’s favourite in this year's Claudette 'Boopie' Smith Festiville, and it just couldn't be wrested.
This year's show began with some amount of controversy when a performance by Third Runner Up, Mighty Cloud was interrupted by technical difficulties. Many in the crowd actually felt that he had 'bust' his performance, failing to remember his lyrics being unable to complete his piece. He was, however, later vindicated in being allowed to come back on stage to give a better account of himself. In doing so, he was able to win over the judges and members of the audience second time around.
Cloud's act was followed by Mr Spice’s 'Advantage'; D Ranking Ijah’s 'This Sweet Country'; Sherne's 'Nation to build'; Running For King Mushroom’s 'What a Shame'; Colosso's 'Foundation'; For King Mad’s desire to 'Protect the Children'; Luther B's ‘Legacy’; Mighty Reddo’s take on 'Ambition'; King Paido’s 'Men at Work'; Ranking Joey's 'Don't Blame Me'; Oginga's 'Why so much Licks; Mighty Rocky's '400 years'; Mighty KP's 'I Don't Want to Sing on That'; King Henry's 'How Long'; Mighty Leh Leh's 'Mother Earth is Pregnant with Hate' and finally Sistah Joyce's piece on 'Talk is Cheap'.
Luther B’s earlier promise to deliver a performance which was “hard to beat” was immediately evident in his delivery from the moment he emerged from backstage. The artiste had the crowd wrapped around his lyrics by the way he organized his movements on stage, manoeuvring his props in telling his story. His delivery was rhythmic, fluid and passionate. His presence on stage was forceful in the way he was able to sway the crowd and ultimately the judges in his commanding performance.
Luther’s Legacy which spoke “to leaders who don’t know when it’s time to call quits and take a bow and leave”, had members of the crowd begging for an encore; but this was not forthcoming, he certainly knew when his mark was made and his lasting impression was able to force the judges’ hands in anointing him Calypso King for yet another year.
Luther later commented about his hard fought win saying that this was “the most difficult of all the victories”. This he said was partly because of the amount of controversy surrounding this year’s event.
Luther’s closest competition came, not surprisingly, from Sistah Joyce. Her passionate, yet powerful piece, entitled ‘Talk is Cheap’ was well delivered and dramatically portrayed by her props and stage assistants. Her beautiful, multi-coloured outfit shone through as she strode the stage belting out notes expressing frustration about politicians misleading of the populace. She later expressed her feeling that her performance was “excellent”. She also bemoaned her disappointment at having lost favour due to the addition of a reggae one drop section to her piece.
This year’s Monarch was awarded the brand new car and $3000, 2nd place received $4000 cash, 3rd place $3000 and 4th place $2000 and prizes of $500 for other participants.
According to Marvin Blyden, Chairman of the Festivals and Fairs Committee, this year’s show was expected to be the best calypso show in history for the Virgin Islands, where calypsonians were entitled to bring there A-game in this “one song, one chance show”.
Meanwhile, several changes were also expected to be implemented after the competition, following a petition earlier this month by a group of calypsonians and threat to boycott the event if their demands were not met. The group had since met with Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn where among the changes, the Monarch is required to make a guest appearance for free at the Miss BVI pageant, and if requested at any other show, once money is being collected for that show, a payment of $600-$800 will be negotiated.
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