Back in 1989 he performed a piece titled `Dey Rob de Dread' to an adulating audience at the National Park and triggered a massive brawl when he lost to Lady Nema in the finals.

Three years later chaos broke out in the Park when the masses gathered rebelled in reaction to the decision to crown Sweet Kendingo, Calypso Monarch instead of Marcus who had performed `Nicole' in the finals and placed second.

`Nicole', which had focused on a local beauty pageant, was an instant hit with the public due to its timely release. The real story behind the piece was unfolding in the public eye and Marcus's on-the-ball commentary won over the masses.

Even as he sang about the negativity surrounding the pageant a legal battle between crowned queen, Tracy D'Abreu and first runner-up Nicole Moore was before the courts.

Often referred to as Prophet John Marcus by those close to him, the calypsonian appeared on the local scene in the early 80s and stormed into almost every final in contests he entered.

`Judge the Judges' won him the monarchy in 1990. In the piece, Marcus had lashed out at the judges for making poor decisions at the competition the previous year. Though the song was on the controversial side, he walked away with the title.

This year `Go Fuh Cup' which has made it to the semi-finals is also pushing the envelope but Marcus disagrees. He told Stabroek News that for those who understand the English Language the song is an ingenious piece of writing.

"Being a trained teacher I play on words and usage in my writing because the concept appeals to me. As a calypsonian I play around with the songs because that appeals to the crowd and I do it all for the people", he said.

`Go Fuh Cup' is the current state of the country through the eyes of Marcus. He pointed out that as it stands Guyanese are for the cup not the palm tree, adding that the late Desmond Hoyte had himself conceded that his supporters are in apathy.

And no pun is intended in the lyrics according to Marcus. His only intention was to be a cut above the rest and gain recognition as the "one who was different."

Last year at the competition, he created a stir with `Dem Pied Pipers' which captured local politicians in a different light. Though he did not make it to the finals he bowed out leaving a statement; Ras Marcus dares to be different.

Those who know Ras Marcus the calypsonian may not know John Marcus the graduate teacher, the degree student and the farmer.

At the height of his calypso career Marcus turned to his studies and earned a degree in Political Science and a Diploma in Education from the University of Guyana. Conflict still surrounds his exam results in his law studies at the same university.

Back in his hometown of Number Eight Village, West Coast Berbice he was a dedicated farmer and continues to farm at his residence on Church Street.

Marcus' first calypso piece was `America' which took a dig at the Americans for exercising dominance over depressed nations. Still on international social commentary he did, `Crush in South Africa', which followed the upheaval in the African nation, and `Armageddon'.

Marcus is widely remembered by those in the art form as the man who predicted a PPP victory in 1992 after he did a piece titled, `Licks in Round Six' the previous year. The song had foretold a PNC defeat in the upcoming elections.

`What You Sow That You Reap' was another achievement for the outspoken Marcus in 1992. `Remember Walter', a tribute to the Guyanese legend also won him acclaim.

Though never bothered by what his critics say, Marcus admitted he lives with a stigma attached to his appearance due to his Rastafarian roots. Having embraced the way of life for some 20-odd years he pointed out that people still judge his hair and not him.

Believing that he had started at a disadvantage, Marcus said he works twice as hard to finish at the top.

"People might see me one way all of my life but it is how I see myself is the critical question," he asserted.

The calypso semi-finals are scheduled for the National Park on Friday.