By Dwaine Plaza
Oregon State College
The much-anticipated Kaiso 365 competitors roared to life on the East City Banquet Corridor final evening, delivering a blinding showcase of Caribbean tradition and musical prowess. The occasion drew a full of life sold-out crowd of attendees, reaffirmed why the Calypso Monarch stays a spotlight of Toronto’s Caribbean carnival.
The stage was set for a spectacular night with shiny, vibrant decor that captured the essence of Calypso. From the second the primary notice was struck by Ossie Curley’s band, “The Fact”, it was clear that this 12 months’s competitors can be a memorable one. 9 contestants from throughout the Caribbean diaspora introduced their A-game, every efficiency brimming with vitality, creativity, and a deep-rooted connection to the Calypso custom of social commentary and double entendre.
The competitors featured a set of standout calypsonians, every vying for the celebrated title—Calypso Monarch. The performances ranged from traditional calypso with a contemporary twist to experimental blends of calypso and double entendre. Notably, the evening was marked by sturdy vocal performances, intricate lyrical content material, and interesting stage presence.
Invoice Newman (Crooner) composed a tune about Stormy Daniels taking down Donald Trump. Crooner went on to win the Individuals’s Alternative award class together with the primary runner-up. Joel Davis (Connector) sang about Caribbean individuals normally forgetting to pay homage to its Calypsonian legends just like the Roaring Lion, Growling Tiger or Executor. His tune, tied for finest melody with Crooner’s. The evening was additionally punctuated by three ladies Calypsonians. Most notable was Naki who started singing in Trinidad on the age of twelve. Her composition “Unfinished Enterprise” reminded us to not neglect Kaiso and its significance in our tradition earned her the third spot.
Veteran calypsonian King Cosmos (Henry Gomez) delivered a efficiency that was a critique of girls’s Mas costumes at this time. Cosmos chastised the costumes as a result of they’re now simply bikinis, bras and skimpy thong bottoms punctuated with beads and feathers. His social criticism is that costumes have misplaced the essence of the masquerade and it’s now only a bare physique dancing on the streets of Toronto. His highly effective and emotive efficiency resonated deeply with each the viewers and the judges. Cosmos means to mix poignant storytelling with infectious rhythms set him aside and secured him the highest spot as Calypso Monarch for 2024.
The judging panel, comprised famend teachers, musicians, lecturers and artists. The judging of the Calypso music was based mostly on three standards, melody, lyrics and presentation. The present was hosted by the very proficient Rhoma Spencer who stored the group engaged and laughing at her many innuendos.
The 2024 Calypso Monarch competitors is greater than only a musical contest; it’s a celebration of Caribbean Canadian tradition and a testomony to its enduring affect. Final evening’s occasion exemplified the unity of the Caribbean neighborhood in Toronto. What was most noticeable was the age profile of the viewers.
The occasion was offered out nevertheless it was overwhelmingly attended by individuals over the age of sixty. That is significantly alarming as a result of it suggests that when this group is gone, who might be left in Toronto to assist this vital cultural commentary artwork?
