Thirteen artists from the Take Over Tent – TOT/ Soca Village tent delivered a powerful performance at this season’s calypso quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
Their selections tackled a variety of critical issues, including politics, social affairs, crime, and pressing societal ills. The artists incisively challenged the opposition, highlighting their criticisms of the ruling administration while exposing the opposition’s mismanagement of the economy.
They commended the government for its strong and effective management of the nation’s affairs, while a passionate group of supporters confidently donned red t-shirts at the tent.
Carlton “CR” Roberts stood out with his remarkable comeback, taking former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and his crew to task with his poignant selection, ‘Cudda, Wouldda, Shouldda,’ calling out their failed promises and lack of accountability during their time in office.
Successive performers skillfully echoed these sentiments, voicing their grievances against the opposition while passionately supporting the government’s work programs. They focused on vital issues such as the youth economy, minimum wage, and social programs to combat crime—reflecting their commitment to improving society.
Injecting vibrancy into the show, Herb Black celebrated Saint Lucia’s Olympic medalist Julien “Juju” Alfred with his upbeat tune, ‘Ju Ju Time,’ which had the crowd on their feet, rocking to the rhythm. He then concluded with ‘Is Us That Der,’ emphasizing the contributions of veteran calypsonians in sustaining the art form.
CR, a former junior calypso monarch, showcased his witty artistry and charm during the second round with ‘I Come Back,’ leaving a strong impression.
Other seasoned entertainers had strong performances, including Black Pearl with ‘Never Runaway’ and ‘Education.’ Ambroise Adolph, also known as Juiceman, delivered powerful numbers like ‘Write the Wrong’ and ‘My Government Working.’ Rosemond Clery, aka Senator, impressed the audience with ‘Friends’ and ‘Roll on You.’
Former Kaiso Monarch Dennis Leo, known as Ti Carro, got the audience’s attention with ‘Beyond Numbers’ and ‘Recovery,’ both of which received a strong response.
The lineup also featured promising newcomers. Kevin Jn Baptiste, aka Chairman, roused the crowd with ‘Nobody’ and ‘Wakeup.’ Robert Rene shared heartfelt tunes like ‘Daddy’s Cry’ and ‘Island Maths.’ Anthony Charles, aka Achiever, delivered impactful songs like ‘Caricom Gone’ and ‘Mr. Bossman,’ while Nasheal Walsh, aka Nasheal, presented powerful pieces such as ‘Punching Bag’ and ‘Silence the Guns.’
Cheryl Pierre, aka Empress C, made her mark with ‘No Politics’ and ‘Party Looters,’ while Gregor Damaze, aka DJones, tackled tough topics in ‘Crime Rate High’ and ‘Slavery.’ Rohan Benett, aka Ashe, performed ‘De Dvil’ and ‘Unsung’ with conviction.
The Kaiso quarterfinals were hotly promoted as four nights showcasing one mission: lyrical domination. Who will rise? Who will fall?
Other tents, including Kaiso Pros Tent – KPT on June 11, Fire One on June 13, and South Calypso Tent on June 14, brought competitive dynamism and energy to their quarterfinals, setting the stage for the upcoming Kaiso Semifinals scheduled for June 29.
The race for supremacy in this season’s calypso competition continues to heat up.