Nine calypsonians move on to Mash final
Winfield James emerges as crowd favourite
Stabroek News
February 10, 2003
Even a rain shower did not dampen the hot vibes pulsating from the calypso semi-final at the Sophia Exhibition Centre on Saturday night which saw nine calypsonians qualifying for the final billed for Anna Regina on February 15.
The crowd favourite was Winfield James with his piece `We Can't take no mo' which focused on the crime spree in Guyana and the casting of blame by the government and the main opposition party.
The huge crowd in attendance were on their feet shouting `Enough is enough, no mo' even before James sang his first line. James in his rendition explained, "PPP, blamin the PNC, PNC blamin the PPP, now VJ wan de presidency. We can't take no mo, no mo. How many will have to die before them party sit down and unite? Mothers crying out in vain, tell me if this is not a shame?"
Llewelyn `Black Hat' Atwell and his piece `Contract Killing' was well received by the crowd. The calypsonian spoke of the current state the country is in and the effect it has on all Guyanese. Black Hat declared, "No employment, only retrenchment. People livin on the pavement, because them can't pay a house rent. Nowadays yah got to frighten to walk, frighten to talk. Things gone from bad to worse".
Though well received by the crowd John `Ras Marcus' Marcus and his piece "Dem Pipe Pipers" failed to impress the judges. Other calypsonians who failed to make the cut included Estella `Calypso Stella' Simpson, Derick `Bright Colours' Mangal, Kenrick `Mighty Splendor' Sutton, Charles `The Mighty Exciter' Antony, Cromwell `The Mighty Voltage' Mentis, Wendell `The Mighty Hunter' Walcott and Eze `King Solo' Baird.
The reigning calypso monarch, Vivian `VJ' Jordan couldn't resist the urge to defend his crown and gave the audience a taste of what he has planned for his challengers when the final gets underway. VJ in his lyrics continued his campaign for the presidency and won the hearts of those in attendance. VJ in his rendition told the crowd, "Vote VJ for president, last year he won the monarchy. The song was a big hit throughout de country. Guyanese from overseas congratulate me, even Burnham and Cheddi came back to see me."
The reigning monarch further sang, "Burnham and Jagan said to me, what is the symbol of your party? What role will you play in the buildin of this country? The crime wave is high and the peacemaker jus die. Then they both started to cry".
The nine calypsonians who were successful and will challenge VJ for the monarchy are: Winfield James, Llewelyn `Black Hat' Atwell, Camille `Lady Tempest' Goliath Basdeo, Martin `The Mighty Voter' Bryne, Monica `Sweet Monix' Wills, Compton `Singing Coo Coo' Hodges, Rudolph `Sweet Kendingo' Kendall, Noel `Professor Clem' and Gregory `Blazing Fyah' London.
