Reigning Calypso Monarch Kelly ‘Rootsman Kelly’ Clyne has expressed confidence and determination as he prepares to defend his title at the 2024 Calypso Monarch competition.
“This year there are a lot of good calypsoes in competition even in my tent Roots (Calypso) tent and the calypsoes are just brilliant but I am not leaving any stone unturned. I am in defense mode,” stated Clyne.
As he seeks a second consecutive title, Rootsman Kelly acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasising the need to be strategic and formidable.
“When you are attacking, you have to come real good because the defender always has an advantage so that’s what I intend to do, to defend that title,” he warned, sending a message to the ten finalists who will compete at the Grenada National Stadium on Dimanche Gras night, August 11.
Leading the competition will be Findley ‘Scholar’ Jeffery, a ten-time Calypso King and leader of the Kaiso Bards tent, who will perform “Still Young” and “Mash it up.”
Following him will be Randy Isaac with his renditions “The Dragon” and “Generations.”
‘Valene’ Nedd from the Northwest Brigade Calypso Tent, one of three female finalists, will perform “Cut it out” and “Golden Toast.”
She will be followed by Jerry ‘Papa Jerry’ Baptiste from Kingdom Calypso Tent, with his songs “Corruption” and “Happy Anniversary.”
Rootsman Kelly, competing under his own tent for the first time, will take the fifth spot, though he has yet to reveal his selections.
Jason ‘Big J’ Joseph from Kaiso Bards will follow with “Pay attention to issues” and “Parent to parent.”
Germaine ‘Superstar’ Simon, also from Kaiso Kingdom, will perform “At 50” and “Jab Jab nation,” while Baraka from Northwest Brigade will sing “50 stories” and “I can’t see the change.”
Gordon ‘Innocent’ Joseph from Roots Calypso Tent will present “Pan in glory” and “The party is mine,” the latter is a political commentary on the New National Party’s (NNP) and its failure to hold an annual convention to select a new leader to replace Keith Mitchell.
Joseph praised Lloyd ‘Mr. X’ Panchoo for his help in composing the political piece, saying, “I’ve never written a political commentary before. I had the idea, I had some patterns in my head, but I thought he was the most appropriate person to put that song together, so I went to him and he did it willingly… and here it is.”
The final female contender, Nashanda ‘Shanda’ Charles from Kaiso Bards, will perform “That’s why ah forget” and “Clamp it down” in position ten.
The competition will conclude with former Calypso monarch Sean ‘Sour Serpent’ Niles, who will close the show with “Motherers” and “Trigger-nometry.”