Rebel says he was robbed of the calypso monarchy two years ago, Tempest asked the judges not to `dis' her ability, Canary is pushing gender equality and Ras Marcus believes the country is 'Fuh Cup'.

And so erupted a barrel of explosive social commentary at Rose Hall, Berbice on Saturday when the adult calypso competition kicked off before a capacity crowd.

The sixteen qualifying calypsonians will move to the city on February 14 when the semi finals will be staged at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.

Putting doubts to rest that calypso is dying in Guyana, the better performances boasted bold lyrics, catchy phrases and showmanship.

The show got off to a late start due to heavy rainfall and ended a little after 2 yesterday morning.

Looking like the fearless Canary, he was back in 1998 when he was crowned monarch, Lord Canary exploded when he performed his piece: `A Woman is a Woman'.

With a soft, soothing bedroom voice he narrated tales of women's potency.

"Woman I ent bad talking, but they always outsmarting men. Women it is plain to see deh nice and sweet but very tricky. Long before I was even born woman was man-trolling man. Never mind how quiet and jokey deh look, dem all have teaching from the same book."

His comical insight into the ways of the fairer sex was enough to grab the crowd's attention and draw numerous appeals for an encore.

Canary could walk away with the title if the reigning monarch VJ's "I will resign" is a sign for a change and if the Berbician audience has its way.

Perhaps the most extreme of all the performances and by far the most outspoken was Ras Marcus' `Fuh Cup'.

The hot-blooded calypso sent shock waves throughout the packed ground and had tongues wagging.

Always on the controversial side of things, Ras Marcus lived up to expectations this year and delivered an electrifying performance.

The deadlocked calypsonian belted out his piece and left the stage with the crowd shouting we want "Fuh Cup".

Commenting on politics and the police force among other things Marcus sang, "Desmond was Fuh Cup before he go to die/Joyce started to cry but Desmond deh done Fuh Cup/Odinga Lumumba fuh cup/he was with deh PNC den he go to the GGG but before he move he deh done fuh cup." Drawing amusement and concern Marcus then exited the stage.

Singing about his experience at the last competition, `Mighty Rebel' told the gathering that he was robbed of the monarchy last year.

"Didn't wan to come back this year for Mashramani, but me fans keep telling me Rebel come back and sing foh we. But when I remember last February at deh audition 2003, foget meh glasses and couldn't even sing a melody. So unceremoniously deh knock me out deh competition, telling the world I ent had no song but I get to learn deh had deh eyes on a chosen one," he sang.

Rebel, though a hit with the crowd due to his popularity, appeared to be holding back. Whether he is awaiting a showdown with the reigning monarch come February 20 is as good a guess as any.

Tempest, who had placed second in the competition for five consecutive years lashed out at her critics for treating her differently.

The visually challenged calypsonian called on the judges not to `dis' her ability.

"Don't short-change me because I can't see, or rob me of the monarchy," Tempest sang.

The `Mighty Voter' who like Tempest is also visually challenged made a statement in his piece `Walk deh Walk.'

Voter too is said to be awaiting a showdown with VJ at the finals.

His piece, which has been a hit on the local airwaves goes, "So when dem tell yo walk yo betta run, some politicians speak with a bad tongue. Deh have you like a fool going round and round. So when dem tell you run you betta walk."

Not to be left out was `Black Hat' who has been after the monarchy for some time now. His piece on `Unity' was also well received.

Sweet Monix shook things up when she opened her performance with a skit narrating a story of HIV victims. Monix's `Silent Killer' had a direct message as she called for an end to the stigma and discrimination attached to the disease.

Like so many other artforms, the calypsoes moved to varying beats and the predictions are a new face will emerge following the next round at Sophia. Whether it is Canary, Tempest, Rebel or Winfield James the city will decide.

Those through to the semi-finals are Rebel, Canary, Tempest, Monix, Voter, Marcus, Black Hat, Bright Colours, Stella, Eddi A, Omai Gregory, Singing Coco, Mighty Exciter, Mighty Hunter, James and Professor Clem.