This year’s contest will also see the return of the youngest person to have ever won the crown and also one new calypsonian who is entering the field and the Finals for the very first time.
After taking a short break from the arena, De Inspirer is back from his academic studies to again compete against his much older compatriots. On the other hand, though it is his first encounter in the calypso field, De Enforcer will be trying to live up to his name, by seeking to win the title on his first attempt.
The seven calypsonians who will be competing against the reigning monarch, King Hollywood, were present on Thursday (2nd August) at a press conference and luncheon that was held at the Pinney’s Beach Hotel in Charlestown. At the luncheon brief remarks were heard from the Calypso Sub Committee Chairman Mark Lake, Chairman of the Culturama Executive- Halstead Byron and Welcome remarks from Minister of Culture, Hensley Daniel.
One key feature of the event saw the calypsonians, including the defending king, pull for their positions on the night. The honour of leading off the battle was given to the veteran Nutsy, who this year created some controversy with the lyrics of one of his songs.
The full line up for Friday reads as follows:
1. Nutsy
2. Inspirer
3. I-Soursop
4. Pupa Wheeler
5. Hollywood
6. Astro
7. Dis n Dat
8. Enforcer
If one is to go by the results and points coming out of the recent semi-finals, Friday night’s contest could prove very entertaining between the leading contenders of former kings I-Soursop, who outscored the others, and De Inspirer and Dis N Dat, who had the second and third highest points respectively, from the semis.
However, there can never be calypso finals without controversy. Some fans in Nevis have been expressing concerns that from the 13 calypsonians who were in the semis, three were from St. Kitts, (Big Lice, I-Soursoop and Alamoula). This has again led to calls from some sources non the island, to limit the number of competitors from the sister island but this might be a difficult task to accomplish, especially given that quite a number, much more than 3, calypsonians have been entering the annual carnival contest in St. Kitts in December.