Dominica-Calypso.com

Many calypso fans are of the opinion that for kaiso 2010 former calypso king Dice was not given a fair shake. They’re saying that because he is a former king he should not have to enter this year’s competition from the Elimination show. There are arguments for and against this. On one hand Dice being a consistently stellar performer with a massive fan base would be a huge boost to the competition assuming that he makes it all the way to the final night. I mean he’s always presented great songs so baring a performance night catastrophe one would expect Dice to qualify for the Final Show.

Sources tell me that there is a general understanding or an unwritten rule in the Calypso Association that allows a former calypso king who has taken up residence overseas to enter the competition at the quarter final stage. Maybe some of you remember former king Tronada, a resident of Maryland USA entering the competition in 2002 after more that a decade of of absence. He was allowed to enter the competition at the quarter final stage.

Now I understand that King Dice is a resident of Guadeloupe. I cannot confirm that that as a fact but there is some dispute about whether the Calypso association was aware that Dice lived in Guadeloupe and if and when they were “officially” informed of that. If Dice is in fact a resident of Guadeloupe then he should have been allowed to enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage.

Both Dice and Daddy Chess, former kings, did not participate in the the 2009 competition. Daddy Chess did not have any issues with singing at the elimination show. To me in this situation its more that just being a former king. I understand that the rules were explained to Dice by an executive member. Dice should have sung at the elimination show. He had absolutely nothing to loose. It wouldn’t have taken anything away from him. So if there was some grey area concerning the rules he should have erred on the side of caution and sang at the elimination show.

Tarina - Photo courtesy dominica-weekly.com

Absent from Saturday’s semi-final show also will be two of last years finalists Tarina and Hunter. I understand that Tarina is unable to participate because of medical reasons. I love her performances. I think she’s awesome. Hunter, one of our more seasoned and most experienced performers will also be absent. To me Hunter belongs in the top four of our calypso artists today. What’s the reason for Hunter’s non-participation? Some speculate that he being a supporter of the current government, is unwilling to sing any anti-government songs. There’s also the thought that pro government songs would not be popular at this time. Most political calypsos are usually anti-government. Fans have grown to expect political song criticizing current governments. Well if that’s the case they why limit yourself to political topics? Loads of other topics that can be sung about. That’s just me.

Also missing from the semi-finals show will be Jamma B. Not sure why.

Daddy Chess. Photo courtesy E-Dominica Productions

What all these absences mean is that there will be at least four or five new final competitors this year. I know that fans of Dice, Tarina, Hunter and Jamma B are extremely disappointed but I see this as an opportunity for other calypsonians to step up to the plate, to rise and shine. An opportunity for fresh blood, new voices, fresh melodies and ideas to be given more exposure and a better chances to shine. We are fans of the artists but many of us are fans of the art form, of our culture and to me calypso is bigger that any one artist. Calypso music from the start has lived on and continues to grow from strength to strength. It was there before us and will live on after us.

There are a few good songs this year and from what I’ve heard I’m picking these artists to challenge Karessah on February 13th.

• Daddy Chess-love the Haiti song
• Observer
• Lady Star
• Tasha P
• Scrunter
• The Bobb
• Beno
• Explosion-maybe
• Sugar S-maybe