Rebel counts on 'Experience'
-will bring reading glasses to calypso contest this year
Stabroek News
February 13, 2004
Being knocked out of last year's calypso competition has simply inspired "The Mighty Rebel" to work even harder and has even helped him with his lyrics for this year's contest.
The four-time calypso monarch intends to come on strong with `My Experience' at the semi-finals tonight at the National Park. Mighty Rebel, whose real name is Geoffrey Phillips, is confident that the crown is his this year. "I couldn't sing last year because I didn't have my glasses when I turned up for the auditions and they knocked me out of the contest. They had the lyrics, but the fonts were too small for me to read, but this year I know I will do well." He has been a part of the calypso competitions since 1979. Last year he composed a song called "Alphabetical Presence". According to him, the song spoke about the many changes that the country went through when it was ruled by "A for Arthur Chung, B for Burnham, C for Cheddi and D for Desmond. Many people think I disrespect politicians but I love to sing about controversial issues, that is all about calypso music, it has nothing to do with disrespect". Other than being the calypso monarch for so many years, Phillips also walked away with the second position for seven consecutive years. In 1988 he did "Second Hand Man", in 1993, he sent his fans in an uproar with "Dessy Yuh Wrong", in 1997, "Political Lies" and in 2002 he became even more popular with his song "Ask De President". The calypsonian who hails from Goed Intent on the West Bank Demerara is also the host of "Culture Talk" on GWTV 2. He is currently doing a programme called the "Calypso Count Down" which is featuring some of the aspiring calypso monarchs. Rebel's day job is taxi driving and recording videos. He is a little upset that persons think his wife, who is an Education Officer, writes his songs for him. He makes it clear the lyrics are his and that only last year he graduated from the Critchlow Labour College with a distinction in Communication and Effective Speaking II. He was the founder of the Hermits band, which broke up in 1988. At that time he enjoyed doing soul and reggae music. Phillips paid tribute to Jack's Music House which helped to put together his songs and produce them.