The Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition will see some of the Caribbean’s top female calypsonians converge in Montserrat on Tuesday, December 30, celebrating the region’s vibrant calypso tradition during the island’s 2025 Carnival celebration.
Among those set to take the stage is Dominica’s 2025 Calypso Monarch, Joy Stoute, stage name Joy, who will proudly represent her country in the prestigious competition.
Hosted by the Montserrat Arts Council, the Queen of Queens Competition brings together the female calypsonians from across the region, offering a platform for artistic excellence, cultural expression, and regional solidarity through calypso. The competition is judged on
lyrics, music, rendition, and stage personality, with each contestant required to perform two original calypso selections.
Joy will compete with “My Quest for Love” and “The Ground We’re Walking On,” songs that secured her the national crown earlier this year and have resonated strongly with audiences.
Speaking ahead of the event, the reigning monarch expressed confidence and pride as she prepares to carry Dominica’s banner on the Queen of Queens stage.
“Representing Dominica on a regional stage is both an honour and a responsibility,” Joy said. “Calypso has always been a voice for the people, and I am proud to carry our stories, our culture, and our flag to Montserrat.”
She also underscored the importance of regional exposure for the survival and growth of the art form, noting that calypso faces increasing challenges across the Caribbean.
“Now more than ever, we must think of Calypso beyond Dominica,” she stated. “With the many challenges facing the artform today, we risk losing a vital part of our culture. Regional representation is essential, and I am happy to have the full support of the Dominica Calypso Association.”
Dominica has maintained a steady presence at the Queen of Queens Competition in recent years. In 2024, Shanice Langford, stage name Shanice, represented the island, continuing the country’s tradition of strong female calypso representation. Before that, in 2022,
Dominica’s first female monarch, Tasha “Tasha P” Peltier, competed in Montserrat for the second time and delivered an impressive performance, finishing as first runner-up among nine competitors. With confidence and determination, Joy says she is poised to deliver a
performance that could earn Dominica its first Queen of Queens title.