WITH raunchy energy, scorching lyrics and the resounding support of a large revelling crowd, reigning adult Calypso Monarch, Lester ‘De Professor’ Charles blazed a scorching trail at Banks DIH Thirst Park on Friday night to retain his prestigious title with his melodious and humorous piece: “Telling the Truth.”

The 2014 Calypso Monarch performed with panache. His entry brought the crowd to its feet in wild jubilation as persons exploded with laughter, pranced and performed jovial gimmicks at suggestions and declarations of his lyrics.

In second place was the captivating Roger Hinds, while Berbician Kenroy ‘Mighty Believer’ Fraser was adjudged worthy of the third position. In fourth place was the delectably curvy diva, Dawn ‘Lady D’ Edwards.

Opening the show, Garfield ‘Mighty Roots’ Campbell performed his high-tempo piece, ‘Bus Ride’, which instantly found favour with the audience. His song spoke about the lawlessness, vulgarity and disorder encountered by the elderly on the mini-buses, and the need for drivers and conductors to show respect to their elders.

This paved the way for Dawn ‘Queen Dairy’ Barrow to perform ‘De Hammer Man’ with her usual pomp and fanfare. Her hilarious costume evoked hysterical laughter from the gathering, and the catchy tempo had sections of the crowd shaking hips and tapping feet in unison.

Her song narrated the unemployment dilemma, which she suggested forces teenage girls to seek ‘easy sexual employment’ in the interior, and contributes to human trafficking in those locations and other issues. She received lusty applause for her efforts.

Next to come was Kenroy ‘Mighty Believer’ Fraser, who performed ‘Tell dem leh deh Know’. And the crowd welcomed his selection as he sang of marginalisation and favouritism which he claimed were present in certain sections of our society.

Normally, Karen ‘Queen Maceeba’ Bennett would produce good songs, but many in the audience remarked that her Friday night selection dangled dangerously on the border of obscenity, as her ‘Chinese fuh cup’ intonations suggested. She sang about the Chinese race invading Guyana, and hinted that it appeared as if they were to her to ‘tek ovah’

Nevertheless, she was well applauded by the audience when she left the stage in a shimmering gold Chinese costume that had her dubbed the real Guyanese Chiney’.
The Mighty Sniper was very good on stage as he belted out ‘Why dem ban de Calypso’; and Dawn ‘Lady D’ Edwards was equally pleasurable as she appeared in a queen-sized ‘tropical jungle cat costume’ to perform ‘Deh ban Dat’. She narrated a tale of popular media entities refusing to play Calypso entries, and with good antics and accompanying props, made her presentation comforting.

Then it was time for Roger ‘Young Bill Rogers’ Hinds to take centre stage. And he did that, appearing in a wheel chair adorned in an infant costume (pampers, nursing bottle and the works) much to the delight of his followers. He was spicy as usual, and his rendition, ‘I ain’t singing bout Dat’, unfurled a tale that suggested those in high position create the lyrics and commentary for calypsonians.

With its real kaiso flava, the rythum took many back to the days when really tropical Calypsoes emitted from the very bowels of the Caribbean. He, of course, departed with much laughter and resounding approval from the audience.

Junior Calypso Monarch Shontelle Gittens entered in style with a ‘Chinese procession’, and delivered well, as she gave the audience ‘Chinese Tekking Ovah’. Her song spoke of the ever increasing presence of Chinese nationals in Guyana, and their wit and smart demeanour when it comes to marketing their products.

Next to come was John ‘Ras’ Marcus, singing ‘Don’t cry Amelia’. It was very apparent that he attempted to infuse creativity as he tried to tell a story of the ‘Amelia Falls’, but somewhere along the line he seemed to had missed the punch line, and his intentions were lost to the audience at more than one interval.

Derrick ‘Bright Colours’ Mangal was a total disaster as usual, using up much of his stage time to thank sponsors before plunging into a shaking rendition of ‘Dem want me fuh Change’, which was laced with vague lyrics and an unfinished story line. He seemed to had realised he messed up totally, since he was seen hurrying from the venue right after his performance.

Lester ‘De Professor’ Charles came on stage like a tornado to defend his title with every intention of destroying any competition in his path. While most of the crowd was previously rooting for Roger Hinds, things changed instantly when this Linden-based artiste hit the stage full of energy and ‘calypso fire’.

As he brought out enticing heaps of lyrics that spoke of present day issues, the crowd came to its feet in wild celebration, and thereafter pronounced him ‘king of the night’ long before the judges had decided his victory.

The gathering was also treated to pleasurable performances from Kross Kolor Records’ Tenneica De Freitas and the X-Factor Dance Group.
Written By Alex Wayne