With roaring crowd approval, six-time Grenada-New York Independence King, Hercules, was topped Sunday evening the Grenada Golden Jubilee Independence Monarch in New York on the American Legion Corridor on East 92nd St. in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
Hercules, whose actual title is Paul Williams, dethroned reigning Grenada-New York Independence King, Zingo, and defeated eight different contestants in capturing the coveted crown earlier than effervescent calypso followers.
Singing “50 Years,” Hercules attained 327 factors within the competitors, organized collectively by the Brooklyn-based Grenada Cultural Pageant Group, Inc. (GCFG) and the net Rampoon Radio.
Ello (Edwin Mark) was first runner-up with 302 factors; Pet (Harriett Jeremiah) was second runner-up with 294 factors; and Quako and Cheryl V (Burgess McPhie and Cheryl Vincent, respectively) competed collectively, a primary within the Grenada-New York Independence Competitors, taking the third runner-up spot, with 290 factors.
The opposite contestants have been: Zingo (Evelyn Alexander, 286 factors); Woman Gloria (Gloria Jones, 283 factors); Muscle tissues (Patrick George, 280 factors); Derrick LaTouche (Derrick LaTouche, 273 factors); Frost 473 (Shakeil Prosper, 264 factors); and Prince Milo (Robert Cox, 239 factors).
The contestants have been judged on lyrics (30 factors); melody (25 factors); rendition (20 factors); originality (15 factors); and presentation (10 factors).
Ello sang on “Have fun”; Pet on “Celebration”; Quako and Cheryl V on “Thank You”; Zingo on “Wave”; Woman Gloria on “Blissful 50th”; Muscle tissues on “We Distinctive”; Derrick LaTouche on “We Celebrating 50”; Frost 473 on “Blissful Birthday Grenada”; and Prince Milo on “Grenada Will Rise”.
Moreover Hercules, who acquired the crown and big trophy, the opposite contestants acquired small trophies from the organizers.
As well as, all contestants acquired citations and proclamations from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke; State Sen. Roxanne Persaud; and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants.
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, was available to personally ship the citations.
Guyanese-born Persaud, who represents the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, was represented by Neighborhood Liaison Grenadian Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford. Williams was not current, however his quotation was handed over to the rivals.
“What a beautiful expression of Grenadian tradition!” Clarke advised the ceremony on the conclusion of the competitors. “Calypso is the power of Grenadian resilience.”
Tallpree, of “Ole Girl Alone” fame, made a visitor look; and Nathifa Lewis paid a tribute, “Your Legacy,” to her dad, Patrick Roberts, who died final October at 68.
“This efficiency and music, I wrote this final week,” Hercules advised the ebullient crowd after Grasp of Ceremonies Harold Pysadee, a preferred Grenada radio persona, introduced the outcomes simply previous 11:00 p.m. “I wrote it back-and-forth. I thanks.
“I’ve to have fun with Val (Adams, a four-time Grenada Calypso Monarch in New York, who was amongst patrons),” he added. “Congrats to all of the rivals. Keep in mind, I really like you.”
Shortly afterwards, Hercules advised Caribbean Life that he was “proud of the turn-out”, stating that, for the final three years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no Grenada calypso competitors in New York.
“I completed writing the music this week,” he mentioned. “It (award) got here in the proper time. I’ve been doing this a really very long time. It’s good to win on the 50th anniversary (of Grenada’s independence).”
Hercules, who competed final Sunday evening, mentioned “50 Years” sought to deal with “the scenario that individuals are going via – issues, issues folks have to repair.
“Sure, we’re going via independence, however now we have to know what to make our nation run correctly and to improve in 2024, as a result of COVID put a damper on what now we have to do,” he added.
New Grenada Consul Basic to New York Michael Brizan mentioned that “it’s historical past that’s happening immediately.
“Our calypsos are a part of our schooling,” he mentioned. “Don’t take it frivolously. I wish to applaud the standard.
“We proceed to have fun our 50th Anniversary,” he added. “Grenada belongs to we (us), and we will make a contribution to our island. As we stay up for the subsequent 50 years, each one will tackle the mantle. I praise the organizers.”
In his opening remarks, GCFG Chairman Michael Vincent mentioned: “This occasion is lengthy overdue. There are 9 different calypsonians ready to dethrone the reigning calypso monarch. They’re all winners.”
Later, George Bartholomew, of Rampoon Radio, mentioned he was “so completely happy to be a part of the organizing committee. I wish to thank the calypsonians.”
