WILL Wulstan ‘Walleigh’ Alfred, the three time winner of the Calypso Monarch Competition, and defending monarch as well, add this year’s crown to his collection of impressive trophies?
That’s the big question when he takes to the stage next week Saturday to attempt a three-peat having won the crown last year and the year before. He also won it in 2005 with “Where De Money Gone” and “Destination Moon (Lunar)” – two impressive songs that wiped away the opposition.
The July 16 Calypso Monarch Competition will be one of a kind, perhaps one of the most impressive lineups in recent times as it will feature six former calypso monarchs of tremendous talent and stage personality.
But Walleigh is no pushover, as he has proven time and time again by producing top notch calypsoes that win competitions.
He has what it takes not to be easily dethroned and to notch a three-peat to his belt, something only two calypsonians have ever done in the history of calypso competitions in the country, namely the Mighty Pelay who won the crown for four straight years – 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, and Mighty Terra who won from 1957 to 1963.
Simply coming close to Pelay’s achievement will be tough for Walleigh as he will be facing some of the most prolific calypsonians in the local arena.
On the night of July 16, Walleigh will face Invader, real name Ignatius Tissin, who has won the crown four times – 1985 with smash hits like “Carnal Knowledge” and “Help We father”; 1986 with “Apartheid” and “War Games”; 1993 with another crowd pleaser called “King Tonight” and “Salbot”; and in 2010 when he rocked the arena with “Stay in Your Section” and “Leave My Beaches Alone.”
With a commanding presence on stage combined with his flair for showmanship, Invader could prove quite a handful for Walleigh to overcome.
But if Invader could be an obstacle to Walleigh what can one say about the most prolific calypsonian alive today who has ruled the “big stage” since bursting on the scene in 1987, winning his first calypso monarch title but preventing Invader from achieving a three-peat.
Talking here about Desmond “Pep” Long who at the time went by the calypso name of “Mighty Pep”. Perhaps he could be Walleigh’s biggest fear having won the calypso monarch title seven times – 1987; 1988 with the very popular “En Bas Gorge La” and “Vagrant”; 1992 with “Bab Camawad” and “Rags to Riches”; 1994 with “Calypso Farewell and “Alien”, 1995 with the “The Will” and “Crime Wave”; 2002 with “Escape to Death” and “Last Days” and in 2009 with Taking a Chance” and “Get Off”.
A medical doctor by profession and former parliamentarian, Pep has always appeared on stage with two well written songs and stage presence, despite his small stature, that have always gotten him through.
Then there is Menelle or Menelle Delice, who stamped her name in the annals of calypso history by winning the crown for the first time in 2007 with ‘Still Holding On’ and ‘Pass It On’. She proved that this was not an accident by winning it in 2011 and 2013. Since then she has proven to be a formidable competitor on the calypso stage.
Educator, real name Protus Auguste has won the crown three times in his career. He is another former Monarch who may pose a serious threat to Walleigh’s crown. He has the voice and the stage presence to prove a worthy competitor.
Nintus Magre the 2012 Monarch and Terry ‘T.C. Brown’ Cadet (2001) are both one time winners of the crown but should not be discounted. Just winning once shows that they can do it again.
This leaves Nilka, Ready and Ti Carro, the only calypsonians on the roster for July 16 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Grounds in Beausejour who have yet to wear the calypso crown from a competition such as this, to challenge Walleigh.
