UPDATE: Prison doesn’t mean putting life on hold – Sistah Joyce
The recently crowned monarch presented her winning 2013 Calypso Monarch and Best Musical Arrangement trophies on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 to the recording team of Ramon George (Head Producer), Kevin Sweeney, Courtney Meade, Akeem Richardson and Kenvil Pope at Her Majesty’s Prison.
See previous article posted July 28, 2013
UPDATE: Jail no place even for a dog says Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce
Set with a steely sense of determination, Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce appeared poised to strike a blow in the minds of the judges in order to seize the Calypso Monarchy with the simple force of will when she took the stage of the Ira Oliver Skelton Festiville in Road Town last evening, July 27, 2013.
The most important message on the night, according to Sistah Joyce was, “please be careful in whatever you’re doing, the jail aint no place even for a dog!”
Being a very recently released inmate of Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsum Ghut made her victory all the more remarkable and significant as these were evident in the words of her song, ‘Go Balo’, which was delivered with the intensity of one who truly experienced the journey on a personal level.
Sistah Joyce’s lyrics poured scorn at the poor advice she received from persons she regarded as friends in suggesting that she surrender to prison because of the ‘three square meals’ and other simple life pleasures she would most likely receive as an inmate.
Her reality, as revealed in the song, was more different than she could have ever expected as she was driven to describe the stint as being ‘rougher than sand paper’.
Meanwhile, Joyce’s other song, ‘BVI, Home Sweet Home’, showed a clear and distinctive level of patriotism for her native land in her challenges to the treatment of expats and locals alike while it also raised several social issues that affected the Territory such as unemployment and living conditions.
After the victory, Sistah Joyce expressed thanks to her most keen supporters and her children and stated that the victory was not much of an emotional one for her. “Once you have confidence, you know, you go a long way,” she said.
The new Calypso Monarch’s victory was not without contention though as some members of the audience felt that Julian Cato aka Oginga, who copped the best performance award from the judges, did just enough to secure his turn at the throne. Alas, this was not to be as Oginga’s energetic and stage burning performances in ‘All About Money’ and ‘Put Love in your Heart’ only did enough to secure his position as First Runner Up.
Last year’s Monarch, Luther Butler aka Luther B, seemingly did not do enough to engage both the judges and audience with ‘Emancipation’ and ‘Calypso Dying’ to secure a fourth consecutive title and the disappointment in only mustering a fourth place finish was clearly evident in his appearance after his position was announced.
Though Renold Phillips aka King Paido put forward his case for the crown with forceful renditions of ‘Dem Things Dey Must Stop’ and ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal’, he too did not do enough to steal the thunder that came from Sistah Joyce’s performance.
Hosea Garcia aka Reddo’s onstage hysterics (including an apology to judges for a note of indiscretion) rendered him a simple footnote in the proceedings even though he had significant crowd support for his antics.
Other performers for the evening included Titus Crabbe aka The Might Rocky; Lester Fontelio aka The Mighty Ley Ley; Eric Brown aka Black Syrian; Rueben Henry aka King Henry; Randolph Joey aka Ranking Joey; Kendol Arthur aka Kingman; Ken Paul aka Mighty K.P. and Algernon Mactavious aka Mighty Macko.
The event was co-chaired by Rhodni Skelton and Rosie Smith and included appearances from three of the four contestants of the upcoming Miss BVI pageant as well as performances from two contestants of the USVI Calypso Competition.
See previous story posted July 28, 2013:
Sistah Joyce wins Calypso Monarchy!
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - (Post Time: 2:40 A.M.) Reigning Calypso Monarch, Luther Butler aka Luther B was dethroned as Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce secured victory at this year's Emancipation Festival Calypso Competition which was completed this morning, July 28, 2013 at the Ira Oliver Skelton Festiville in Road Town.
Sistah Joyce dominated a field of 13 entrants who competed over two rounds for the chance to rule the calypso realm of the Virgin Islands.
The announcement of the winner was made at approximately 2:20 A.M.
The First Runner Up was Oginga, Second Runner Up King Paido and Third Runner Up Luther B.
Sistah Joyce, who was recently released from Her Majesty's Prison after serving time for possession of narcotics, was also adjudged to have the Best Lyrics and Best Arrangement while Oginga was given the award for Best Performance.
The event was free and was also very well attended as performers received robust support for the most part from a very vocal and involved audience.
The winner of the competition received $8000; second place $5000; third place $3500 and fourth place $2500. Consolation prize winners received $1000 each.
More details to follow.
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62 Responses to “UPDATE: Prison doesn’t mean putting life on hold – Sistah Joyce”
Why You don't go up and sing two songs - sistah Joyce sang her two songs and to the judges she deserved it - so go so - congratulations sistah Joyce vg and tola you did it -so happy for you !!
Luther B's Arrangement, Melody and Lyrics were way above the rest last Night. It is unfortunate that Sister Joyce got the win due to sentimental Reasons and the reality that she needed that Money to pay off her debt. VI Fest Committee needs to have more transparency in their Judging Process. Toby D and Soulja Boy (Whatever his Names is) from St. Thomas?? You have to be kidding me. What a farce. Please next Time have an Eliminatation as there is no need for 13 Contestants in a Calypso Monarch Finals.
Some of you all talking about setting an sample for the youths & this & that, I do hope you same people are setting everyday sample for the youth/s. No one is perfect and we all do fall short at time, It's really a good thing god, jah is not like is human.
No because she went to prison for something that you done agree with makes it wrong, (yes) agrees the (law is the law) but she did her time (Get Over It) Many of the world know successful or rich people or roll model are people that did wrong by law or standing strong for a cause they know is right by all mean with or without the law.
Question was Nelson Mandela wrong for what he did that made him end up in prison? because of what he did you would not vote for him because you stain him as a (out law aka rebel) "Where is he today?
What about what Jesus did? was he not also a (outlaw & was he not also in prison? if you was around in dose day I clearly see what side you be on.
My point is, no one perfect and being an out law is not as bad as being a everyday sinner, (He who without sin cast the 1st stone) She sell weed, and you did not get the customer the right change (that is wrong) You know you your going to be late for work at 9am, so you ask your co-worker to clock you in for you (that is wrong)
You masterbate (that is wrong) you cheat on your husband/wife (that is wrong) you give your money to your boy friend before you spend it on your children (that's wrong) You give your money to the Spanish woman them and rater than your woman/mother/sister/brother/friend ect (that's wrong)
Yet not because of the wrong you cant change or drop bad habits to do good, People make mistake sometimes will take a few time before they realize, but those same people can turn around and be a big & major on people in strong positive ways.
Sister Joyce, I love you and support you 100% Don't watch no face, I overstand you and knows where your coming from. 99.9% of them blind & just playing stupid, but have time for that, its progress we working on & we get there. I rather be an out cast to nuff of them than to sit do and have a drink. You did your job and happy that you have won, Even if you did not, your still our queen. Keep your head above the water, when it rain it don't fall on 1 person house top.
well do sister joyce.
No one is perfect................He without sin____________ the 1st Stone.
Oh and please, use paragraphs, we can't take your blog seriously when it looks like a never ending rant.