Linden’s Chapman takes Senior Calypso Monarch win
Linden’s Diana Chapman during
her winning Calypso performance
(Photo by Tamica Garnett)
Linden’s Diana Chapman during her winning Calypso performance (Photo by Tamica Garnett)

Story and Photos by Tamica Garnett

BEFORE A packed crowd at the Banks DIH Demerara Park, Lindener, and former Junior Calypso Monarch, Diana Chapman dethroned Lester “De Professor” Charles for the

The dethroned Lester “De Professor” Charles whose performance of “Wicked Philbert” was not enough to place this year

Mashramani Adult Calypso title with her message of “Put Your House In Order”, which was unapologetically directed at the governing administration.

Decked out in her green and yellow tailcoat outfit, no doubt looking to mimic the APNU/AFC party colours, Chapman put on one of the more animated performances of the night and found enough favour with the seven judges to rake in 400 points and top the list of 11 competitors.
The 25 year old mother of one finished ahead of Pearl “Precious Pearl” Lewis, reigning Junior Calypso winner T’Shanna Cort, and Kenroy “The Mighty Believer” Fraser, respectively.
The winner walked away with $800,000 cash, while the second place prize was $600, 000 and the 3rd place finisher got $400,000. The 4th place finisher took home $200,000.

Chapman’s two back-up dancers were also uniformed in yellow and green, and their well-coordinated dance performances worked to her advantage. Her song was composed and arranged by veteran musician Bonny Alves.
However, while many, including a frenzied Charmaine Blackman, rushed to the stage to congratulate Chapman, the announcement of Chapman’s win was not well received by all in the crowd. And as per normal, the Guyanese patrons were very vocal in their displeasure. Many said that Chapman’s performance was indeed a good one but they felt there were others who were more deserving.

Manoel “King Perai” Ferriera during his performance of Perai Justice

Crowd response was not among the chief criteria that the judges were looking at. The criteria, as announced by the evening’s emcee Basil Bradshaw, included lyrics, melody, diction and intonation.
It was evident early on that the competition was going to be tough. Backed by the Mingles Band,many of the competitors really gave of their best.
The unseated ‘De Professor’, did not place, even though his performance of “Wicked Philbert” perceivably garnered the best crowd support of the night, with many rushing to the stage to catch as close a view as possible of his performance. The last performer of the night, De Professor gave fitting closure to the night’s event, which had opened on a high with Lassel “The Mighty Duke” performing “Deh Give Him A Bruk Up Country”, which also evoked quite a few laughs.

Former Adult Calypso champion Manoel “King Perai” Ferriera was also well received when he performed “Perai Justice”, in the second performance of the night.
Chapman’s win announcement was met with lukewarm applause and the grumblings poured forth as the patrons made their way out of the open air venue. Nonetheless, Chapman was

Wendell “Mighty Hunter” Walcott during his performance of “Them Boy Say”

too busy enjoying her victory to take notice.

‘Precious Pearl’ ended with 387 points, to take second place for the performance of her piece ”Ole Age Like A Criminal”. The title spoke for itself, and Pearl entertained as her song spoke of how “ole age” hijacked your life. Pearl’s background extra of an aged individual suffering from all the ills of old age, had many in the audience laughing uncontrollably.

Cort, whose performance of “Where the Innocence Gone” shined at the junior competition, found stiff competition in the senior league. However,she was still able to hold her own enough and ended in a strong third, after she finished just one point away from Lewis.

Fraser came ready to entertain in a sharp all-over-blue suit that was charmingly offset with matching blue shoes, and blue rimmed sun shades. He achieved his aim when he had the crowd in fits of laughter as he dropped punchline after punchline in his verses. Like Chapman, Fraser’s song of “Give David Some Time”, was another one with a political theme.

The competition saw another year where politics was heavily themed, with at least five of the night’s performances waxing political.
Chapman’s song, which has since been making waves via all the leading radio stations, was more of a serious nature than a comedy, and may have perhaps been the reason why the crowd gravitated to the more comedic performances.

Just a section of the thronging audience as they flocked to the stage during the performance of Lester “De Professor” Charles

Her song was a strong plea and warning to the current administration, asking that they listen to their supporters, telling them to put their ears to the ground, and they would hear a grumbling sound”.
Mighty Believer’s song however seemed to strike the patrons’ funny bones. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the David Granger-led administration would need some time before they could do all that need to be done to fix what needed to be fixed.

Dawn “Lady D” Edwards also exuded a politically themed message in her performance. Dressed as a clown, Lady D’s “King Liar” was about awarding “Berat Jagdelow” as a king liar for continuing his political pursuits after saying he had no more political ambitions, among other lies.

Competitors also played themes on last year’s sex scandal involving a certain self-proclaimed pope. Aside from Professor’s “Wicked Philbert” there was John “Ras” Marcus with “Ow Mr. Pope”.

Other performers of the night were Roger “Young Bill Rogers” Hinds with “Ah Campaigning for President”; and Wendell “Mighty Hunter” Walcott with “Them Boy Say”.

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