by Vanessa Braithwaite
A TOTAL of 21 calypsonians performed Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden singing their kaiso lyrics, hoping to gain the judges’ favour and advance to the finals of the national calypso competition. Only ten however were able to make the grade and will be performing on Friday night at Demerara Park in Georgetown.Scores of Lindeners turned out to support the event and their fellow Lindeners. The judges’ decision which was announced a little after 2 a.m. received a positive response from the crowd, who patiently waited to hear who had advanced to the finals. Mondale Smith, a popular television personality, did a fantastic job as Master of Ceremony with pep talks filled with humor and flair. The competition saw the likes of veteran calypsonians such as ‘Young Bill Rogers and Linden’s very own Lester Charles.
Bringing their talent and love for Kaiso was two visually impaired calypsonians who sang about the abuse against women and the corruption of the previous administration. The presence of the old timers did not intimidate the young performers such as 19-year-old reigning junior calypso monarch, T’Shanna Cort who gave a phenomenal performance of her song “I have hope.” She lustfully sang about the mishaps of the government and how despite these she had hope that it would bring a real change for our nation. Most of the tunes were politically related and carried lyrics of the change of government and the various corrupt practices of the previous administration.
First on stage was Wendell Archer, a veteran calypsonian whose calypso titled “Time for Change,” explained why he had taken a sabbatical from entering the competition since his lyrics were not accepted by the PPP Government who banned it from being played on the radio and television. With the change of government he said he was now free to sing his politically related lyrics as democracy has now taken place. “Sing Hunter sing, nobody will do you anything,” was part of his chorus.
Wowing the crowd was Linden’s very own, and four-time monarch Lester Charles (De Professor) whose calypso was a conversation between himself and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Dressed as a nerd with jack-straps, he appeared on stage with a mannequin of a rat with a ruler in his hand as he belted out his lyrics, part of which said: “You nah guh back deh, we nah put ya back deh, no way no way!”
Another crowd’s favorite was “Young Bill Rogers”, who appeared on stage in pajamas with a pillow and sung his calypso “This is wah a dream.” His lyrics spoke about corrupt politicians who were put out of power and said all the good Guyanese would enjoy, such as oil. He ended his performance with the lyrics, “I going back to bed but yal put the calypso crown on ma head,” Receiving the support of women was visually impaired Camille Basdeo (Tempest) who encouraged women to raise their voices against abuse since no women should be treated like a punching bag.
Appearing on stage last was young Kenroy Fraser who hails from Berbice. He woke the crowd up with his recitation of all the good the coalition Government had brought to all Guyanese.
Apart from the political tunes, lyrics of our fight against Venezuela, social ills and the upsurge in cocaine busts were also brought to the competition. Advancing to the finals were Camille Basdeo (Temptest), Roger Hinds (Young Bill Rogers), Lester Charles (De Professor), Teshanna Cort, Darria Barrow (Queen Darria), Martin Burn, Kenroy Fraser, John Marcus (Ras Marcus), Abigail James and Basil Duke (The Mighty Duke).
