Rebel awoke from his slumber and wants his title again but that is if he can stop Ras Marcus' `Go fuh cup' which is going to Bartica on Friday for VJ and the Monarchy.

'Go fuh cup' stormed into the finals on Friday night proving that the people are "Fuh cup".

The song was branded the favourite to win the title after Marcus exploded on stage and won over the masses at the semi-finals at the National Park.

The city turned out in vast numbers and unofficially crowned Marcus Monarch. At one stage they threatened to halt the night's proceedings after the calypsonian left the stage.

The scene seemed all too familiar for Marcus who was the subject of uproars at previous competitions after he failed to finish at the top.

Rebel awoke from his slumber and a lacklustre showing at the quarter-finals in Rose Hall to woo the crowd amidst loud pleas of "Rebel come sing foh we" but he may not be mighty enough to dethrone Marcus.

Marcus grabbed massive support with his piece and had the park chanting `Go fuh cup'.

The song goes like this, "When ah sing bout dis country, trace we political history. Dem lock me up and throw away de key and wen ah sing bout dem escapee who live next door to big Mr. big belly dem form a conspiracy and deny me de monarchy. So I gon follow VJ, I ain't singing foh PNC, I gon follow VJ and sing foh PPP. VJ cuss up de palm tree, he seh how it widaup so before he go fuh palm tree he just go fuh cup. VJ is fuh cup."

He continues, "Go fuh cup, go fuh cup. If ya want to stay on top, drive a prado non-stop and a big fancy house so you could cock-up just go fuh cup".

As he exited the stage Marcus mania kicked in and chants of "Fuh cup" rang out in the park. The revved up crowd begged for an encore and howled continuously before being cautioned. Quiet returned after the crowd was reminded that it was a competition and other calypsonians were yet to perform.

Lord Canary who announced his return to the art form with a fearless performance at Rose Hall, Berbice later took control of the Park with his piece, "A woman is a woman". With his eyes on the title Canary is still going strong and has shown no sign of letting up.

And much earlier the park was walking Voter's walk. Playing on VJ's piece "I will resign", Voter continued his campaign for the presidency of the calypso arena with "Walk de walk" and won his fair share of votes.

Raising questions about the upcoming elections Voter sang, "Looking at our society, the wages we get is a pity. As soon as dem gain victory ya continue to live in poverty. So much resources and expertise yet we can't build our economy. The time has come to act cautiously who ya gon put foh de presidency".

Then it was Tempest who had the crowd agreeing that blindness has nothing to do with ability. Her piece "Don't dis my ability" found favour with the crowd and landed Tempest in the finals.

Having placed second in five finals she lashed out at her critics singing, "Is long I been dreaming about becoming queen of Mashramani calypso arena but every time I try they always got somebody who would step up in front of me and tek de crown. Ah sing bout AIDS and about cocaine, `Survival of de fittest' was also in vain. And jus like de Rebel in dem old days, it was Tempest; you second again."

With the crowd in agreement she continued, "Well I am not de mighty Rebel, I ain't no second hand stumpy man. Don't dis my ability cause I am able just like you and he. Don't be fooled because I am blind, I was blessed with a perfect mind so when it comes to judging me don't dis my ability".

Unknown and the underdog in the line up this year Eddie A pulled off a crowd pleasing performance and sang his way into the finals. The calypsonian soared his way past favourites such as "Black Hat" and "Sweet Monix" to make the final cut. His "Woe to El Dorado" drew tremendous support and won him the nickname, "Eddie Surprise".

And what a surprise it was to Black Hat who failed to make the finals. His quest to someday win the Monarchy ended when he crashed out of the competition. Around on the scene for sometime now he had built a reputation as a serious calypsonian but his piece this year failed to reach the judges and the people.

Taking a bow with Black Hat was Sweet Monix who also failed to advance. She silently left the scene. And with a pun intended her piece "Silent Killer" went with her.

Bartica now awaits one of the most anticipated calypso finals in recent years. The stage is set and the performers are poised for a heated showdown.

Reigning Monarch "VJ" will have to be elected a third time to hold onto his title but Canary is Canary, people are walking Voter's walk, nobody is "dissing" Tempest's ability, Rebel wants his title again and Ras Marcus is `Fuh de Monarchy'.

Those through to the finals are Lady Tempest, Lord Canary, Ras Marcus, Mighty Voter, Eddie A, Mighty Rebel, Winfield James, Calypso Stella and Young Bill Rogers.