By-Ronalda Luke
Newcomers Gael Jno-Baptiste, better known as Trilla G in the entertainment scene, and well-known vocalist Joy Stoute, better known by her stage name Joy, are optimistically anticipating the calypso semi-finals with the aim of reaching the 2023 Calypso finals.
Thirty-two (32) calypsonians took to the stage on the evening of January 21 into the morning of the 22nd, all attempting to score favour with the judges in hope of being among the 20 semi-finalists for the upcoming competition.
Judges made quick work of bringing the over six-hour-long calypso quarterfinals round to a close with two of three newcomers advancing to the third leg.
Speaking to Nature Isle News (NIN) following the announcement, Joy expressed her enthusiasm for having been selected as a semi-finalist.
“It is indeed a joy to perform regardless of the arena and I feel so honoured to be among some of the top performers in calypso as a newcomer,” she stated. “I am very optimistic about advancing to the finals because this is one of Dominica’s top music platforms in moulding music ambassadors and I look forward to being among some of the big names out there and I look forward to doing my best to serve and get my message to people out there.”
Also making his debut in calypso this year is Trilla G who also scored favour with the judges. His popular hit, “Dick-Taylor-ship” which the artist penned himself has also been a favourite of calypso patrons.
For another newcomer, Anton “White Fayrie ” Joseph, his run in this year’s national calypso competition came to an end last evening as he was among the 12 who did not advance. The four-time Cadence-lypso King debuted this season with a son entitled “Cross the Bridge”.
Father and son Jamaal ‘Black Diamond’ Lloyd and Joey ‘Explosion’ Llyod are also among the competitors who are advancing to the semi-finals as well as returning calypsonian Daddy Chess with his witty rendition, “Heegas, No gas”.
Among the semi-finalists are four former monarchs.
Nine-time King, Dice with his calypso, “Everything Lost”, former government minister and three-time Monarch, Karessah with his rendition “Eh Dead as Yet”, King Bobb, “If I Was Prime Minister” and Dominica’s only female monarch and reigning virtual monarch Tasha P with “Calypso High”, all had a favourable outcome with the judges.
Competing for the second year with yet another soulful rendition, “#Concerned”, Sixth Form Sisserou Singer Shanice ‘Shanice’ Langford also made it through to the semi-finals while veterans calypsonians Comforter “I Eh Singing”, Chris B “Love Gas”, Soul Puss “Where can I Travel,” and Checker “Playing Politics” all made it through.
Other successful calypsonians were, Might D with “Talking Dogs”, Shadow Flow with “ Mental Anarchy”, Mighty Omee with “Blame Who’s to Blame”, Bingo with “Dem High Prices”, De Healer “Ganster Society” and Checko with his calypso “Speak De Truth.”
At the quarterfinal competition, fans of the popular calypsonian Charles “Sour Sour” Isaac were left disappointed as he failed to score favour with the judges. Sour-Sour who was the first competitor of the night gave an extemporary style performance to the disappointment of many.
Returning calypsonians Royette, second-timer Lucious, as well as Inciter, Third Eye and Vigilante were among the 12 defeated calypsonians of the night who did not make it to the semi-finals.
While the 20 semi-finalists were announced in random order, the three who were selected in the order of their placement are Observer, Trendsetter and White Fayrie.
Following a two-year hiatus of two-round sound competition, the customary show made its return.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 the calypso competition took on a hybrid format style, and calypso fanatics witnessed the first-ever virtual calypso which was won by Darryl ‘The Bobb’ Bobb, followed by reigning virtual monarch Tasha ‘Tasha P’ Peltier in 2022.
President of the DCA Davidson ‘Observer’ Victor who spoke to NIN expressed his excitement over the return of the in-person shows and dubbed the two competitions held thus far a success.
The next leg of the competition will be the semi-finals carded for February 4, 2023. The defending monarch is Jude “Jay Dee” Delauney, who captured the title in 2020.
