Twenty-four-year-old John “Mighty John” Williams took top spot in calypso eliminations Friday with “The Fence," an original bit of social commentary making light of controversy over work done on security fencing at Gov. John deJongh Jr.’s private residence. Mighty John was one of eleven calypsonians who took to the stage at the New Drive Inn, showcasing up to the minute political satire, humor and social commentary, battling for the chance to take on reigning champion Campbell "King-Kan" Barnes for the title of Calypso Monarch of the St. Croix Christmas Festival.
With showmanship, soulful singing, fancy footwork and flashy outfits, the calypsonians took to the stage one after the other and waxed poetic on social topics from Virgin Islands constitutional convention to food stamps to fatherhood. Between sets, Daren "MC Bogle" Stevens and "Bloodstone" kept the audience in stitches with slightly off-color jokes and impromptu gags.
Nine of the eleven made it on to the final competition.
Working together to solve social ills was a popular topic, with James P.G. “Monarch” Wakefield first out of the gate with “Set the Example,” asking Virgin Islands adults to do just that for the territory’s young. Augustin “Liberator” St. Louis demanded "action with a sense of direction" with his tune “Action.” And Toiya “Rudy “Isaac exhorted everyone to stand up to violence in the community with “Do Something.”
On the political front were Mighty John, with his defense of the governor’s fence and “King Herring” Clarke with “Together We Can," a dig at deJongh’s campaign slogan. With his song “Constitution," Joseph “Joey B” Brown suggested the powers-that-be don’t want real self government in the territory.
Back on stage after a year’s absence was Karen “Lady Mac” McIntosh-Bruce with “1st of the Month,” a humorous number about holding out for the first of the month to get food stamps and general assistance to pay the bills. While she sang, her aunt Margaret Joseph paraded around with a T-shirt saying "baby" with a pillow under it, as though pregnant, waving bags of groceries.
Singing about Caribbean culture, five-time Calypso Monarch Morris "King Generic" Benjamin bemoaned the lack of interest among the young in quelbe and calypso with “Culture Dead," and Lariel “The Teacher” Gerard talked about the fancy moves you need to make monarch with “Going for King.”
For a new twist this year, the judges selected the top three point-scorers and let the audience pick their favorite as Lord of the Festival based on how loudly they cheered. The top three were King Generic, Liberator and Mighty John. The deafening roar of the audience’s cheers made clear Mighty John was by far the favorite.
The nine finalists will go head to head with each other and King Kan Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. at Island Center for the Performing Arts.
Go to www.stxfestival.com for complete scheduling, photos, music samples, and all manner of information about this year’s festival.
