The stakes were high, the music was loud and the stadium was packed at Thursday night's Crucian Festival Calypso Monarch finals where 11 competitors belted out lyrics on a range of topics — sometimes serious, sometimes hysterical, but always entertaining. And the winner was — defending 2002 Calypso Monarch Samuel "Mighty Pat" Ferdinand, whose social commentary was not a putdown but an appeal, to "Help the Government."
Jan. 3, 2002 – The stakes were high, the music was loud and the stadium was packed at Thursday night's Crucian Festival Calypso Monarch finals where 11 competitors belted out lyrics on a range of topics — sometimes serious, sometimes hysterical, but always entertaining.
Thousands gathered at Island Center for the show that featured a host of talented calypsonians singing about issues that touch every Virgin Islander, including crime, politics and the 50th anniversary of the Crucian Christmas Festival. But only one emerged the overall victor — and winner of a brand new car donated by Caribbean Auto Mart.
Samuel "Mighty Pat" Ferdinand pulled off a repeat, retaining his title of Calypso Monarch with a first-round song called "Help the Government," in which he urged citizens to support the current administration.
"We got to help the government; after all, it's us they represent," Ferdinand sang. "Stop the fussing and fighting, because it ain't getting us nowhere."
The show began on time at 8 p.m., but in the hours that followed, onlookers continued to crowd into the arena, filling extra seating and the grass and lining the walls along the fence.
"This is a good turnout," Lenise Hunt, Festival Committee vice president, said. "The calypso competition usually draws a big crowd."
Hunt said before the show began that she anticipated hearing a lot of social commentary in the singers' lyrics. She was not to be disappointed, as each of the 11 competitors took his or her turn at the microphone throughout the first and second rounds.
"Calypsonians are particularly articulate," Hunt said. "They sing about ongoing current events, something Caribbean people care about."
At least one song was required to address social issues. Contestants also were judged on their lyrics, melody, presentation, clarity and rendition. Colorful costumes and inventive skits were a common component of the acts.
Cedric "Spade" Brookes took the first runner-up slot. The judges' final decision, however, was controversial. That's not an uncommon part of the competition, according to former champion Camille "King Derby" Macedon. "It's the same thing from last year," he said Friday at the Children's Parade. "The judging is different from the people's choice." He said the audience would probably have chosen Brookes as the victor.
Other winners include second runner-up, Campbell "King Kan Fu Plentae" Barnes; Most Humorous Calypsonian, Barnes; Best Social Commentary, Ferdinand; Most Improved, Wellington "Wreckman" Pelle.
Other participants include Kasaun "K-Force" Baptiste, Morris "King Generic" Benjamin, Lestroy "Happy" James, Karen "Lady Mac" McIntosh, Patricia "Pepper Pat" Morris, Gemma Noel and Llewellyn Westerman.
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